ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA) is said to have made up its mind to appoint Additional Secretary, Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo as Chairman PNSC's Board, after withdrawal of additional charge as Chairman KPT, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.
The post of Chairman PNSC is vacant since April 1, 2019 after transfer and posting of Rizwan Ahmed, as Secretary, Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA). The federal government entrusted additional charge of the post of Chairman PNSC on April 8, 2019 to Secretary MoMA as a stop-gap arrangement and subsequently, extended it till August 21, 2019. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) has directed to complete the process for appointment of the Chairman, PNSC within 45 days. Presently, Secretary Maritimes Affairs is looking after the charge of Chairman PNSC.
As per section 14 of the Ordinance, 1979, the Board of Directors "shall" consist of five Directors to be appointed by the Federal Government and two Directors to be elected by shareholders. As per section 15(1) of PNSC Ordinance, 1979, every appointed Director shall hold office for a term of three years from the date of his appointment, and "shall" be eligible for re-appointment. The existing composition of PNSC BoD is as follows: (i) Rizwan Ahmed (Secretary MoMA), federal government; (ii) Sohail Rajput- Additional Secretary Finance(ex-officio member) federal government; (iii) Khurram Farooq Ansari, joint Secretary MoMA (ex-officio member) federal government; (iv) Muhammad Ali, member, private appointed by the federal government; (v) Ali Syed- private member appointed by federal government; (vi) Khawaja Obaid Imran, private member (stakeholders); and (vii) Captain Syed Anwar Shah- private member( shareholders.
As per section 18(1) of PNSC Ordinance, 1979, the federal government shall nominate one of the appointed Directors to be the Chairman of Board. Whereas, as per section 18(3), in the event of a casual vacancy in the office of Chairman, a successor may be appointed by the federal government for the unexpired term or for a period of absence, as the case may be.
The sources However claim the provisions of Establishment Divisions' O.M of March 28, 2019 do not apply on this case as they cannot override section 18(a) of PNSC Ordinance, 1979 which is governing law for appointment of the Chairman PNSC. This argument has also been endorsed by the Law and Justice Division on April 24, 2020. According to MoMA, in view of existing scenario, the federal government may like to appoint a Director in place of the outgoing Director (i.e. Rizwan Ahmed) for the remaining period of unexpired term of the outgoing Director. The following names have been recommended in order of priority:( i) Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo (PAS, BS-21); (ii) Nadir Mumtaz Warraich (IRS, BS-21); and (iii) Dr Usman Chachar (PAS-BS-21. Ministry of Maritime Affairs had forwarded its summary to the Prime Minister's Office through Establishment Division on April 24, 2020. Establishment Division raised some objections on the summary. However, MoMA has recommended the following proposals to the cabinet: (i) Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo, Director General (Ports & Shipping) may be appointed /nominated as member of the Board and Chairman, PNSC for an unexpired term till December 3, 2020 in terms of section 14(a) read with 18(3) of PNSC Ordinance, 1979; (ii) Rizwan Ahemd will cease to be the Director of BoD of PNSC and Chairman PNSC on the date Shakeel Ahmed Mangnejo takes charge as Director and Chairman, PNSC and the intervening period from August 22, 2019 till the relinquishment of charge or till the appointment of regular incumbent, whichever is earlier, may be regularized; (iii) till the appointment of regular DG (Ports & Shipping), MoMFA, additional charge may be entrusted to Shaeel Ahmed Mangnejo; and (iv) terms and conditions will be settled in consultation with the Finance Division. The Ministry had given additional charge of Chairman KPT to Mangnejo but later on withdrew it on the advice of Attorney General for Pakistan.
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