Latest news with #EstablishmentDivision
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA body asks ministries to get ISO certification
Commending the Establishment Division and Finance Division on attaining ISO 9001 certification, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has recommended that all the ministries should follow the suit and get them certified as per international certification standards. The recommendation was given in a meeting of the NA Standing Committee held on Tuesday with Malik Ibrar Ahmad, MNA in the Chair, said a press release. The Committee met for briefing on the working on Establishment Division and its attached/associated departments apart from pending legislative business.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Senate body seeks requisite info on IPPs agreements
ISLAMABAD: The Senate Functional Committee on Devolution, expressing strong disapproval over the absence of the secretary Establishment Division in the meeting, and directed that the requisite information on independent power producers (IPPs) agreements be provided to the committee at the earliest. The committee met with Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardhy Taimur in the chair at the Parliament Lodges on Monday. The committee reviewed the performance and ongoing initiatives of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division. At the outset, the committee expressed strong displeasure over the absence of the secretary Establishment Division. Members of the committee emphasised the importance of accountability among government departments, noting that all public servants are paid through taxpayers' money and must fulfill their responsibilities with integrity and commitment. It was further observed that bureaucratic attitudes marked by ego and non-cooperation hinder institutional performance and must be addressed systematically. The chairperson directed that the secretary Establishment Division to ensure attendance in the next meeting to assist in resolving the committee's pending agenda item, while directing that the requisite information on IPP agreements be provided to the committee at the earliest. During the session, the secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division delivered a detailed briefing on the ministry's structure, functions, and ongoing efforts for the preservation of Pakistan's cultural sites. He highlighted the issue of inadequate funding, noting that while the ministry had requested Rs 20 billion from the Planning Commission, only Rs 2 billion had been allocated. He said this amount was insufficient to sustain both the ministry's administrative operations and its developmental projects. He informed the committee that the ministry had successfully issued a yearly events calendar and had maintained weekly cultural activities without interruption. Senator Dr Zarqaa raised the issue of antiquities theft and their illegal transfer abroad. In response, the secretary stated that the ministry was actively working in coordination with law enforcement agencies to prevent such practices, while return of artifacts is also continuously happening. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
USC to be shut down by 31st, employees offered VSS
ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to close all operations of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) by 31stJuly 2025, and offer a financially viable Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) for its employees. A high-level meeting of the committee constituted by the prime minister to oversee the closure and privatisation of the USC was held on Wednesday with the Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb, in the chair. The committee has been tasked with ensuring a smooth and transparent closure process, formulating a suitable VSS for USC employees, and recommending a structured timeline for privatisation. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production Haroon Akhtar Khan, secretary Establishment Division, secretary Finance Division, secretary Industries and Production Division, managing director of the USC and senior officers from the Finance and Revenue Divisions attended the meeting Wednesday. The committee led by the finance minister reviewed the progress made in the light of the tasks assigned to it and held detailed deliberations on the way forward. It was reaffirmed that, in accordance with the government's directives, all operations of USC will be closed by 31st July 2025. The committee discussed at length the formulation of a fair and financially viable VSS for the USC employees. During the course of the meeting, the members examined various dimensions of the proposed VSS, including its projected size, potential fiscal impact, and legal and operational implications associated with its structure and rollout. The committee recommended that the Privatization Commission be consulted regarding the optimal structuring and feasibility of privatisation or alternatively asset sales linked with the USC operations. To facilitate a comprehensive analysis, the chair constituted a sub-committee headed by the secretary Establishment Division. The committee will include representatives from the Finance Division and the Industries and Production Division to examine the legal and operational aspects, contours, size, and structure of the proposed VSS and submit its report to the main committee by the end of the week. This will enable the committee to consolidate its findings and finalise its report and recommendations to be submitted to the prime minister in line with the terms of reference. According to the USC restructuring plan recently shared in the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production, the closure of 1,925 loss-making Utility Stores outlets countrywide has resulted in saving of Rs1.7 billion. The government has shut down 1,925 loss-making Utility Stores outlets countrywide while sacking 4,060 employees out of a total of 11,614. According to officials, in case, the government failed to privatise the USC, annually Rs7 billion will be required to pay the salaries of the employees. At present, the privatisation process had been stopped because of a lack of its audit for two years. 'The privatisation will take place after the audit is complete,' the officials said, adding that 5,000 permanent employees would be sent to the surplus pool, while 2,554 employees still on contracts and on daily wage basis would be laid off. There were 3,742 Utility Stores outlets across the country, out of which, the government has shut down 1,925 loss-making stores. USC's monthly losses had been reduced to Rs220 million. It was also disclosed that the USC will not have sufficient funds to pay salaries to its 5,000 employees beyond next month, due to the closure of a significant number of its outlets. According to officials the USC's outstanding payment stand at Rs25 billion. The management has decided to offer golden handshake scheme to 25 percent of the USC employees, otherwise, Rs2.7 billion annually will be spent on the salaries of these employees. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Dr Imtiaz Ahmad made economic adviser to Finance Division
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has appointed Dr Imtiaz Ahmad as economic adviser, Finance Division. A notification issued by the Establishment Division stated that, with the approval of the prime minister, Dr Imtiaz Ahmad, a BS-22 officer of Economist and Planners Group, presently posted as chief economist, Planning Development and Special Initiatives Division, is transferred and posted as economic adviser, Finance Division, by upgrading the post, personal to him, with immediate effect and until further orders. Dr Ahmad, a career economist belonging to the Economist Group, previously served as economic adviser at the Ministry of Finance. He was appointed as chief economist in April 2025, filling a position that had remained vacant for several years. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Held/acquired by officers: ED asks ministries, Divisions to obtain assets declaration
ISLAMABAD: The Establishment Division has asked all the ministries/Divisions to get declaration of assets held and acquired by the officers for the financial year ending June 30, 2025 under their administrative control. In a letter to all the ministries/Divisions, Establishment Division has referred to Rule 12 of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules 1964 and administrative instructions issued by the Establishment Division from time to time, on the issue of assets declaration. Establishment Division has requested ministries/Divisions to obtain declarations of assets and liabilities for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, from the officers belonging to occupational cadres serving officers and officials of the respective Ministry/Division on the prescribed proforma, which is also available on the Establishment Division by July 25, 2025. NA passes amendment requiring top officials to publicly declare assets According to the letter Establishment Division maintains the record of Declaration of Asses of PAS, PSP, Secretariat Group and OMG Officers. Therefore, Declarations of the officers belonging to these Groups should be forwarded to it. However, Officers belonging to these Groups serving under the respective Provincial Government may send an advance copy of their Declaration to Establishment Division to avoid delay. The Declarations of Assets in respect of all other service group/cadres will be l be maintained their respective ministries/Divisions/departments. The Establishment further stated that non-compliance of the prescribed Rules and Instructions issued thereof from time to time, tantamount to 'Misconduct' within the meaning of Rule 2(k) of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020. Further, in light of Rule 7 (j) of Civil Servants Promotion (BS-18 to BS-21) Rules.2019 'the civil servant who has not submitted his/her annual declaration of assets liabilities forms for the last five years' will be deferred from promotion in the respective promotion boards. A certificate to the effect that such declarations have been obtained from all employees other than those under administrative Control of Establishment Division should be forwarded to the Establishment Division no later than September 25, 2025. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
