The ongoing controversy between the top bureaucrats of the Ministry of Information Technology and PM Adviser on Information Technology Sardar Latif Khosa took a new turn when the latter accused the top bureaucrats of the ministry of corruption.
In a letter accompanying his resignation, which he sent to President Asif Ali Zaradri, Sardar Latif Khosa revealed that the top bureaucrats in the Ministry of Information Technology with the help of cartel telecom industry were involved in illegal activities and corruption.
He said the telecom company (PTCL) got projects over Rs7.7 billion in USF, but they never paid a single rupee, as they were required to commission 83,000 lines till 2008 in-lieu of 1.5% of specified contribution, which is obligatory on every other licencee. Mr Khosa said the PTCL should never have been awarded these projects as available money belonged to the contributions made by other licencees. He said major chunk of subsidised projects worth over Rs10 billion was awarded to those companies, which had their representation on the board of the USF Company as directors (PTCL, World Call and Telenor).
Following is the text of his letter:
“Secretary IT along with Member Telecom, Member IT is helping cartels of private companies in illegal activities prevailing in the ministry of IT, with the help and support of bureaucracy. As Minister-in-Charge of IT I took serious actions against malicious malfunctioning in different departments related with the ministry in the best interest of government and the people of Pakistan. In USF Company, whose objective is to promote telecommunication in the rural and under served areas, is practically hijacked by the cartel of private companies and ministry officials who are awarding contracts in access of billions to companies through subsidy contracts without any due diligence. Major chunk of subsidised projects was awarded to those companies who had their representation on the board of the USF Company as Board Directors i.e. PTCL, World Call and Telenor, amounting over Rs10 billions in one year.
The incumbent CEO USF Mr. Perviaz Iftikhar, whose tenure has expired, was hired through non-transparent process, as he was not even short-listed by the federal government’s committee mandated to do the job under relevant rules. Mr. Farruk Qayyum (then Secretary IT) had expressed serious reservations about this appointment. Instead of accepting the mistake, the bureaucracy is protecting the illegal appointment of the CEO and with backing of Secretary IT, even has tried to confront the Minister-In-Charge by siding with the board members from private sector.
“PTA illegally placed Rs55 billion of ministry of IT in Federal Consolidated Fund, for which PTA was neither custodian nor it was PTA’s money. I directed chairman PTA to get this money back to the ministry of IT. According to the rules and regulations of Telecom Act, Auditor General of Pakistan should audit funds of USF and ICT R&D every year. Moreover, ministry of IT has to send audit report to National Assembly. Since inception of funds, no audit was ever conducted. I directed secretary IT to have a detailed audit of these funds by AG and submit the report to National Assembly for review and necessary guidance.
“Grey traffic is a menace, which is not happening without involvement of officials of MOIT and PTA. Countries like India and Bangladesh have recently taken strict measures against grey traffickers and have fined millions of dollars to those companies/licencees found involved in facilitating or terminating grey traffic. In spite of the fact that strict/penalising measures were taken in our neighbourhood, our departments like PTA and MOIT never took/showed any interest and grey traffickers boomed.
“I have proposed an automated system at PTA to monitor grey traffic i.e. International Traffic Clearing House. As a matter of fact, the media drive is backed up by a de-notified member of ICT R & D fund, Mr. Wahaj Us Siraj, a person who is notorious for avoiding content filtering measures by the State, a measure which if taken would put tough challenge to his business association. His recent press briefing is evident of this fact. I am proposing strong measures to implement content filtering software of international standard.
“There is clear evidence against Executive Director, EGD Mr. Amir Shehzad of illegal hiring, fraud and forgery in record, issuance of antedated appointment letters, alleged theft of official vehicle and termination of employees who have launched complaint of gross irregularities against him. The Standing Committee of Senate on IT took serious note of these irregularities and asked me to suspend ED EGD immediately and launch an inquiry against him. He is absconding from inquiry from that day. I directed the ministry to forward summary of termination of ED EGD to Prime Minister. Contract termination summary of Mr. Amer Shehzad, sent to the P.M, has not been pursued by secretary IT, despite clear directions. Mr. Mustaq Bhatti, as Member Telecom, is not a competent to deliver. He was 3rd in the merit list at the time of his appointment. He is being protected by the secretary IT. Member IT, Mr. Tariq Badshah has been holding position since May 2001. He has also done nothing to achieve the targets set under IT policy. Worst, the National IT policy has also expired. He was assigned a task in 2004 to establish Federal Government Data Centre by 2006 (a strategic project of extreme importance). He has wasted 6 years and Rs270 million. I ordered an inquiry to fix responsibility. He is also involved in contractual irregularities for procurement in many projects; most sensitive is E-Office for the federal government.
“In routine briefings I also noticed that important policy targets i.e. e-governance, e-commerce, anti-grey traffic, building knowledge-based society, local content building, protecting and facilitating local investors etc were left unattended. I believe that for the betterment of the nation and the people of Pakistan these elements be removed from government without further delay, particularly Mr. Nagib Ullah Malik, secretary IT should be removed. With such people at key positions, we cannot achieve our goals as enshrined in the Pakistan People’s Party manifesto.”
