ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has paved the way for appointment of a civil servant of their choice as chief executive officer (CEO) of Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) by changing the regulations.
The government decision comes in wake of snubbing other candidates and the Commerce Division plans to have full control over PHDEC, reported Express Tribune.
The candidates selected by the nomination committee had narrowed it down to five candidates from a total of 69 applications which were set to be interviewed for the position of PHDEC CEO for a duration of three years.
But breaking contraventions, Commerce Division suggested the name of its Director Muhammad Ashraf as the designated candidate for the CEO post of PHDEC.
PHDEC is under the purview of the Commerce Division and was setup to exploit the immense potential of the country’s horticulture products in the world market.
However, the federal cabinet in its recent meeting rejected the selection of PHDEC CEO and permitted the Commerce Division to revise the regulation to ensure the appointment of its officer at the helm on deputation.
And the cabinet was apprised the selection of PHDC CEO was very important to ensure the reinvigoration of the company.
And following Public Sector Companies Guidelines 2015, the company’s board setup a selection committee to choose an appropriate CEO and five candidates were shortlisted for an interview.
Afterwards the company’s board suggested three candidates included Assad Khalid, Financial Controller of Asian Food Industry and national consultant of Asian Development Bank (ADB), Kashif Jamshed besides Muhammad Ashraf.
As the deliberations took place in the cabinet meeting, it was indicated present rules didn’t permit selection of a CEO via transfer or on deputation and only a new CEO could be selected.
The cabinet was apprised if the Commerce Division wanted to propose the appointment of a civil servant as its choice for CEO, it would require revising the appropriate regulations.
A summary in this regard was examined by the cabinet and it consented to the understanding of the relevant rules. But on request of the Commerce Division another summary was moved to ensure changes to the relevant rules.
