ISLAMABAD (INP): The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Tuesday said that recent appointment of Member Oil in Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) is against the rules and regulations.
Appointment of Arif Ahmed Khan as Member Oil in Ogra can hamper the working of the Ogra which is already performing below the expectations of the masses and stakeholders, it said.
In a statement issued here Tuesday, Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that the former petroleum minister Dr. Asim appointed former DG Oil of the petroleum ministry as Member Oil in Orga after his retirement.
The government rejected the proposal of extension in his service of completion of his term which left the vacancy vacant following which former minister Dr Asif Hussain has moved the court.
Afterwards, the additional charge of the post was given to Arif Ahmed Khan, Additional Secretary of Cabinet Division which was illegal as appointment against the post requires relevant qualification (engineering) and twenty years of experience in the field of oil including transportation of that fuel.
Murtaza Mughal said that the new appointee lacks both criteria as per the Section 3(5) of the Ogra Ordinance; it also paved the way for conflict of interest as Orga reports to the Cabinet Division in administrative matters.
The slot in question is for technocrats and not bureaucrats and the government is not setting a good example by violating merit, said Dr. Mughal. Insiders say that a member of Ogra is to retire soon who would be given extension.
