ISLAMABAD: Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Noor Alam Khan on Wednesday asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate illegal recruitments and promotions in the Science and Technology Ministry within one month and fix responsibility in this regard.

The PAC head issued these directions after the apex accountability body expressed concerns over the issue of illegal hiring and promotions besides financial irregularities in the federal ministry. The PAC also sought a report from the science and technology secretary about the performance of the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) within one month.

The meeting observed that an employee, Mirza Habib, a lecturer at a degree college, was appointed in BS-19 in the Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) even though the eligibility criteria for the job sought a university lecturer for the said post. The PAC members were surprised that after two months Mr Habib was promoted to BS-20 in violation of the rules.

Similarly, Dr Raja Raziul Hasnain was appointed in BS-17 without an advertisement. He was promoted to Grade 18 and subsequently Grade 19 without fulfilling the eligibility criteria. He was later promoted to BS-20 in violation of the rules. An inquiry report by the ministry also declared his appointment illegal.

Dr Muhammad Akram Sheikh, who was working as a director general in the PSF was appointed in violation of the rules of the Establishment Division. The meeting further learnt that Mr Sheikh was the sole candidate who was shortlisted and hired for the job, even though a panel of a minimum of three to five candidates was required for the said post.

PAC chief Noor Alam said the secretary concerned was responsible to maintain all kinds of discipline in his ministry and directed the FIA to determine the matter of illegal inductions in one month and to fix responsibility. Ministry of Science and Technology Secretary Muhammad Ghulam Memon admitted to the irregularities in the appointments and promotions in the department.

The PAC also took exception to the violation of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules in the Ministry of Science and Technology. The audit authorities were directed to submit a report to the PAC in this regard while it also reviewed the audit objections for the year 2019-20.

Regarding the funds parked in private banks by independent institutions, the Finance Division informed the body that investment in the banks by independent institutions had been banned.

The PAC chairman directed that a letter should be written to all the independent institutions and they should be instructed to refrain from investing their funds in private banks under the 2019 policy.

Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2022