The NAB will look into the questionable appointments of STZA Chairman Amer Ahmed Hashmi and COO Masroor Ahmed Qureshi.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has investigated improper appointments at the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA).
The NAB chairman has directed the NAB Rawalpindi DG to investigate anomalous postings at STZA.
According to the accusations collected by the NAB, the nominations of the chairman, Amer Ahmed Hashmi, COO Masroor Ahmed Qureshi, and other chosen persons caused the national exchequer billions of rupees in damage.
According to reports, STZA chairman Amer Ahmed Hashmi and COO Masroor Ahmed Qureshi were appointed in an unlawful manner.
In December 2020, an advertising for his appointment appeared in several publications and on numerous websites.
His appointment was also announced by the establishing division on December 8, 2020.
However, an advertising soliciting applicants for the position of STZA chairperson was published in media on January 1, 2021. The advertising requested individuals to apply within 15 days.
However, after the day of the job announcement, the STZA website announced Hashmi’s appointment as the authority’s chairman.
On January 7, 2021, a special message from the chairman on the opening of STZA was broadcast on media.
On January 8, 2021, the announcement of Hashmi’s appointment was also revealed on the Prime Minister House website.
On February 16, 2021, a fresh notice was released regarding Hashmi’s appointment, giving the impression that the job posting had now expired. Notably, Hashmi’s name was already included as the new chairman on the website before this announcement was ever released.
According to the allegation submitted by NAB, Amer Ahmed Hashmi lacked appropriate experience and his hiring violated stipulated regulations.
Apart from him, the appointment of Masroor Ahmed Qureshi as Chief Operating Officer (COO) was also illegitimate.
Chief Commercial Officer Javed Iqbal and Chief Human Resource Officer Talha Rao are also on the list of erroneous appointments.
The complainant further claimed that the selections of CIO Abdul Rahim, Planning Director Muhammad Ali, and Licensing Director Iqra Mushtaq were unequal.
It went on to say that the establishment division squandered money from the national exchequer on the publishing of the advertising, and that the appointments were also in contravention of Supreme Court rulings.
The irregular appointments at STZA, which were intended to promote technology, harmed IT exports.
The complaint has also requested that the names of the stated STZA officials be added to the exit control list (ECL).
In the past, NAB has taken firm action against erroneous appointments in many institutions and ministries.
The unlawfully appointed persons attempted to influence the cases, but following an independent investigation, the anti-graft agency took stern measures against the culprits.
Meanwhile, suspects are being pursued in instances involving the Housing and Planning Ministry and the Agricultural Development Bank.
