National Fertiliser Corporation (NFC) is reportedly concerned about the assumption of charge by a NAB-tainted senior officer, well-informed sources told Business Recorder. Acting Director NFC Institute of Engineering and Fertilizer Research (IEFR), sources said, in a letter informed NFC headquarters about Syed Ejaz Hussain Bokhari, Manager IEFR who was suspended from service on October 26, 2015 for allegedly committing misappropriation of fertiliser urea stock at National Fertiliser Marketing Limited (NFML). He was released on bail on October 22, 2016.
According to the officials of NFC, upon release on bail Syed Ejaz Bokhari assumed his duties with effect from October 24, 2016. However, his case is under trial in the NAB court at Lahore for the last one year. Since Syed Ejaz is going to retire from service on attaining the age of superannuation on November 21, 2016. Acting Director IEFR had sought legal opinion regarding reimbursement of dues to Syed Ijaz on his retirement pending the case in the court.
The legal opinion has advised NFC that NAB consent for clearance of dues to Syed Ejaz Bokhari may be obtained as the officer is allegedly involved in corruption and misappropriation of fertiliser urea stocks during his service in NFML. Also till final decision of the pending criminal case in the NAB Court Lahore, terminal dues of Syed Ejaz Hussain Bokhari may be withheld.
Legal section is also of the view that resumption of duty of the concerned officer cannot be allowed during suspension. Therefore, letter of October 28, 2016 may be withdrawn ab-initio. MFML is dominated by those officers on deputation who belong to Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), Customs Group or Accounts Group etc. A couple of these deputationists are still behind bars convicted for plundering the organisation with the help of lower staff stationed at different depots.
The sources said, Secretary Industries and Production, Khizer Hayat Gondal is monitoring the activities of the Ministry's subsidiaries. However, Gondal is not enjoying "cordial" relations with the Minister like his predecessor Arif Azim who retired last month after attaining the age of superannuation.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.