LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed the Punjab advocate general to submit record of all public sector companies in the province, their legal status and salaries and perks enjoyed by their heads.

During hearing of a petition against alleged irregularities in Punjab Saaf Pani Company, Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi expressed concern over establishment of the public sector companies and huge salaries being paid to their chief executive officers.

The judge took strong notice of the salaries being drawn by the public servants as heads of such companies, highly disproportionate to the same grade officers working in other public departments.

When asked, Saaf Pani Company’s CEO Nabeel Javed told the court that he was an officer of BPS-20 and had been drawing Rs1.4 million as monthly salary.

The judge observed with regret that officers of BPS-20 working in other government departments would be getting not more than Rs150,000.

The judge sought immediate appearance of the advocate general, however, a law officer said the AG was busy in a meeting.

Justice Naqvi directed the law officer to ensure submission of a detailed report on all public sector companies working in the province, details of their CEOs along with salaries and also the law behind the establishment of these companies.

The judge also sought details of a government’s summary regarding bullet-proof vehicles requisitioned for Saaf Pani Company. The judge adjourned hearing till Oct 4.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2017