ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Farooq H. Naek on Friday informed the Senate that 20,187 sacked employees (not 80,000 as claimed) of the NCHD would get salaries till December 2008.He said in the meantime a special committee would discuss the utility of the commission and suggest future course. He said seeing the hardships of the sacked employees a summary for release of Rs402 million out of the stalled Rs814 million had been sent to the prime minister for approval.

The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf came under fire for his alleged mismanagement and misappropriation of funds.

“It was expected of him to resign from the NCHD as well after he stepped down from the office of chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, both offices showered on him by Gen. Retd. Musharraf” said a lawmaker.

Leader of the house Mian Raza Rabbani lashed out at the NCHD chairman for his wrong-doings and said, “He should have resigned as chairman of the commission after Gen. Retd. Musharraf was forced to resign.”

He said that not only that Mr Ashraf was occupying ministerial residence but was involved in seeking external intervention by asking an American MP to ask the government to release commission’s funds.

Earlier, Saadia Abbasi of the PML (Nawaz) said the very inception of NCHD was controversial as Gen Musharraf had founded it to benefit his buddy and whatever achievements the commission supporters claim existed only on papers.

She alleged that foreign consultants some of them even living abroad were paid hefty amounts as salary out of the commission funds which need to be probed and till the investigation completes the name of Mr. Nasim Ashraf should be put on the Exit Control List.

Dr. Khalid Ranjha however asserted that name of anyone could not be put on the ECL unless a case was registered against him.

APP adds: Senators expressed concern over perks and privileges being enjoyed by the high ups of Planning Commission, demanding the removal of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Salman Faruqui.

The debate started after Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Farooq H Naek defended the senior management of Planning Commission, in reply to a question by Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmed.

Replying to questions raised by different senators, Farooq H Naek said charges levelled against Faruqui were of political nature and none of them could be proved.

He said no appointment in the PC was political rather all of them have extensive experience in different departments.

“Faruqui has 40-year experience of working as secretary general to Government of Pakistan, minister of state, ambassador at large, secretary to PM, Secretary Ministry of commerce, communication, water and power, food and agriculture, environment and local government,” Naek said.

Earlier, Senator Khurshid Ahmed had claimed that senior officers of the Planning Commission were either lacking relevant qualifications or experience that might create problems at any stage as the Commission deals with the planning of important projects.According to the reply, Faruqui was drawing basic salary of Rs195,000, with utility bills of Rs 9,750, government accommodation, medical facility and a 1600 cc car.

Referring to the written reply submitted by the minister, the Senator said Member/Executive Director Implementing and Monitoring Lt General (Retd) Mohammed Zubair just holds BSc Engineering degree and has been appointed on MP-1 scale with a basic salary of Rs225,000 and described it as unreasonable.

Senator Abdur Razzaq Thaheem said the appointment of Salman Faruqui was made purely on political grounds and pleaded, in view of modernization and new trends, young blood should be hired.

Senator Seemi Siddiqui said Salman Faruqui had been facing corruption charges and left the country. He was appointed on political basis after the new government took charge.

Senator Saadia Abbasi said Faruqui was MA Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration and LLB, but he had no qualification for planning and development.

She said there was a need to change the orientation of the Privatisation Commission and the parliamentarians should also be engaged in planning as they better know the requirements of their concerned areas.