Senators Question Transparency in PTCL & Ufone Board Appointments: Multiple Seats Held by Officials Sparks Debate
A Senate committee meeting has raised fresh concerns over the criteria and transparency behind the selection of board members for PTCL and Ufone. The session, attended by officials from the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, focused on the names, roles, and privileges of individuals currently serving on the boards of both telecom entities.
Officials presented comprehensive documents detailing board compositions, meeting frequency over recent financial years, and the participation record of nominated members. The ministry also shared the list of government-nominated directors serving on these boards.
Lawmakers Question Multiple Board Positions Held by Officials
During the discussion, several senators raised critical questions about the structure and fairness of board appointments.
Senator Sadia Abbasi pointed out that Senator Anusha Rahman is listed as a board member, prompting her to ask whether other sitting senators or members of the National Assembly serve on similar boards. Officials responded that all details regarding nominated members had already been provided.
Senator Afnanullah further highlighted an emerging trend: officials holding seats on multiple boards simultaneously. He noted that one female government officer is currently serving on five different boards, raising concerns about whether such practices reflect a transparent, merit-based selection process or reliance on administrative discretion.
Concerns Over Fairness, Merit, and Governance Standards
Committee members expressed reservations about how board positions are allocated across public-sector institutions. They questioned whether the process ensures fairness and accountability, or if it allows select individuals to accumulate multiple influential roles.
The chairperson asked ministry officials to clearly define the criteria, governance standards, and selection procedures applied when nominating board members. Lawmakers stressed that board appointments must be transparent and open to review, given the crucial role these boards play in policy direction, financial oversight, and corporate governance.
Ministry officials reiterated that all selections are made according to existing legal frameworks and government policy, adding that public-interest representation remains a priority. They assured the committee that additional documentation would be provided in upcoming sessions.
Call for Consistent and Transparent Board Selection Policies
Members of the committee noted that various government institutions and state-owned enterprises follow inconsistent criteria for board nominations. Such variations, they argued, can adversely impact governance quality and accountability.
Several lawmakers suggested establishing a uniform and transparent selection structure for all major organizations to ensure fairness, reduce favoritism, and maintain governance standards across sectors.
The committee also requested full disclosure of financial benefits, allowances, and privileges granted to board members, emphasizing that such information is essential for public accountability.
Next Steps: Committee Seeks Complete Documentation
The meeting concluded with directives for the ministry to submit remaining documents, including:
Merit criteria used for board nominations
Number of boards any individual officer can serve on
Financial benefits and privileges provided to nominated members
The matter will be taken up again in the next committee meeting, where lawmakers expect full clarity and may introduce formal recommendations to improve transparency and streamline the board selection process.
0 Comments