ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) has failed to comply with the prime minister’s directive to appoint a permanent chief executive officer at the Engineering Development Board (EDB).

Moreover, the MoIP has even delayed the release of advertisement seeking applications for the position and as a result the charge has been given to EDB General Manager Mirza Nasir Baig since April 2017.

The ministry officials said the delay in the appointment of a permanent CEO has led to under performance of the board.

“The decision-making was suffering in the board and it was having an impact on all the sectors including steel, auto and other manufacturing,” they claimed.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the PM on industries Abdul Razzaq Dawood acknowledged that there were issues with the EDB and the appointment process has been finalised and an advertisement inviting applications for the position will be released soon. “We are looking into it and the things will settle soon,” Dawood said.

In addition to Baig, there were only two GMs at the EDB and a junior officer has been in charge of five key sections including policy, tariff, administration, quality and coordination.

“The EDB is responsible for standards and tariff of sectors involved in manufacturing such as automobiles, machinery, steel, boilers etc,” said an official.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2019