ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet is likely to consider the Finance Division’s proposal regarding the appointment of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) president in its meeting on Thursday, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, will consider Finance Division’s suggestion of Adnan Ghani, Muhammad Shahbaz Jameel and Sheikh Amanullah for the presidency of ZTBL.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has also been consulted for this purpose in light of Section 11 (3) (a) of Banks (Nationalisation) Act, 1974. However, in its earlier summary, SBP did not include Adnan Ghani in the list of probable candidates as he primarily served in trade-related banks in the past. Moreover, Adnan Ghani had declared that he is a British national since April 2012.
In the revised summary forwarded by SBP, it has been stated that the state bank has re-assessed Adnan Ghani’s credentials based on his CV and the views expressed by the finance ministry in the letter recommending his candidature. Accordingly, Adnan Ghani’s name has been included in the ‘Panel of Professional Bankers’.
It is worth noting here that if the federal cabinet approves Adnan Ghani’s appointment, it would be subject to fulfilment of Fit & Proper Test (FPT) Criteria of SBP and other applicable laws/rules/regulations. Furthermore, the finance ministry would also have to go for verification of citizenship of the appointee in order to comply with the requirements of Section 11 of Banks (Nationalisation) Act, 1974.
The cabinet would also take up the matter of appointment of Employees Old Age Benefits Institutions (EOBI). Sources informed Pakistan Today that the Establishment Division has submitted a three-member list for the appointment of a chairman for a period of three years. Pakistan Audit & Accounts Academy Lahore Rector Azhar Mehmood, Interior Division Additional Secretary Abdul Aziz Uqaili and Wafaqi Mohtasib (Ombudsman) Secretariat’s Aftab Akbar Durrani have been nominated.
The cabinet will also take up the matter of appointment of Gwadar Port Authority (GDA) chairman. Sources informed this scribe that the Balochistan government has recommended three names for the position.
The nominees are Balochistan’s Secretary Environment Department Naseer Khan Kashani, Secretary Food Department Ghulam Ali Baloch and Secretary Social Welfare Department Noorul Haq Baloch. Sources said that the incumbent GDA chairman has not yet relinquished the charge owing to the fact that his replacement has not been appointed and the position cannot be left vacant due to the peculiar nature of the assignment.
Other agenda items for the meeting include progress report on implementation status of cabinet decisions taken by the present government, Cabinet Division; transfer of Marine Fisheries Department (MFD) along with Korangi Fish Harbour (KFH) and Office of Fisheries Development Commissioner (FDC) from Ministry of Maritime Affairs to Ministry of National Food Security and Research (NFS&R), Cabinet Division; ratification of the decisions taken by Cabinet Committee on Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC) in its meeting held on February 2, Cabinet Division; annual report of the National Economic Council (NEC) for the Financial Year 2017-18, Cabinet Division; exemption from PPRA Rules 2004 in respect of procurement under Financial Inclusion and Infrastructure Project (FIIP) to be implemented by Finance Division, Cabinet Division; ratification of the decisions taken by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet in its meeting held on February 4, Cabinet Division.
The cabinet will also consider ratification of the decisions taken by Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE). Approval of signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA) of Malawi and Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) of Pakistan, Finance Division is also to be granted by the cabinet.
Acceptance of the resignation of Sultan Ali Akbar Alana, the trustee on the board of Karachi Port Trust, and the nomination of Atif Bajwa as his replacement for the term 2018-2020, Maritime Affairs Division.
Approval in principle of the draft of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Reforms Ordinance 2019, National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Division. The proposed amendment in the National Disaster Management Act, 2010, National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination Division is also a part of the agenda of the cabinet meeting.
