QUETTA: The federal government has dismissed Raziq Sanjrani, the managing director of Saindak Metals Limited (SML), from his position with an immediate effect. The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) issued an official notification late on Friday night, citing approval from the prime minister.

“The decision, in accordance with the Prime Minister’s office U.O No 3699/SPM/2023 dated December 8 and Establishment Division’s O.M No 1/14/2007-E-6, de-notifies Raziq Sanjrani’s appointment as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of SML,” the notification stated.

The government instructed the chairman of SML Board of Directors to convene an urgent meeting for further action in compliance with the prevailing company laws and service rules. Subsequently, SML issued a notification on Saturday, declaring that three-fourths of the total board members have removed Mr Sanjrani from his position, effective immediately.

The Board of Directors also decided that Dr Hafiz Mubasher Anwar, serving as director general in petroleum division, would serve as the interim MD/CEO for a period of 90 days or until the appointment of a regular managing director, subject to the concurrence of the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Mr Sanjrani, the younger brother of the sitting Senate Chairman Mohammad Sadiq Sanjrani, was initially appointed on a contract basis on October 27, 2008, under the Aghaz-i-Haqooq Balochistan package. He was confirmed as SML MD on July 23, 2011.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2023