ISLAMABAD, Oct 27: The National Assembly standing committee on food and agriculture on Wednesday gave the ministry 10 days to hold a performance review committee meeting and send the findings to the prime minister to decide the status of Dr Zafar Altaf who, they believed, is illegally holding the office of Chairman Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC).

The direction followed requests from Additional Secretary Ministry of Food and Agriculture Shafqat Naghmi that instead of sending Dr Altaf home his status be decided, like some MNAs had recommended.

Dr Altaf's appointment became controversial when his two-year contract ended in August 2010 but he continued holding the office. According to the NA committee, Dr Altaf's 'self-appointment' became flawed when he did not even take the minister of food into confidence.

He was appointed chairman PARC in MP-1 scale with the approval of the prime minister on August 11, 2008, under standard terms and conditions. The ministry argued before the committee that his appointment letter did not specify the period of his contract - two years or three years.“He was probably only filling the gap until the next chairman was appointed,” the additional secretary said.

However, Establishment Division officials told the meeting that Dr Altaf's two-year contract stood expired since August 11, 2010. Nonetheless, they refrained from terming his time in office for the last three months illegal despite pressure from the committee.

None of this went down well with the committee members, especially MNAs Rana Tanveer Hussain and Dr Abdul Kadir Khanzada, who were critical of Dr Altaf's continuing in the office in violation of rules.

“Dr Altaf's status is clearly illegal. His salary and other benefits should be stopped immediately until the prime minister appoints a new chairman or directs Dr Altaf to continue work,” said MNA Tanveer Hussain.

In fact, the two members earlier resisted giving grace period to the ministry and insisted that Dr Altaf may not be permitted to continue.

“The performance review committee should have held meetings at least a month before to decide the status of the chairman PARC,” said Mr Hussain before giving into the committee's decision for extra time.

The committee also took strong exception to alleged illegal appointments of consultants related to the chairman and politicians, an accusation Dr Altaf has been denying.

Though PARC's board of governors had concluded in their meeting in August, 2009, that procedures prescribed for the recruitments were violated, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture attempted to defend Dr Altaf on the subject.

But what really got the MNAs into a wax was the fact that the ministry had failed to comply with directions from the standing committee and PARC's board of governors to terminate services of more than 1,000 illegally hired consultants.

“Letters had been sent repeatedly reminding of necessary actions but not once did PARC respond let alone comply,” said the additional secretary.

These deliberations took place after Dr Altaf was excused from the proceedings and had declined to comment since issues pertaining to his status and hiring of consultants were sub judice.