Public Accounts Committee questions Rs1.6 billion bonus payments at Sui Southern Gas

A sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee, chaired by Convener Syed Naveed Qamar, on Wednesday raised concerns over more than Rs1.6 billion in bonus payments made to executives and staff of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, Business Recorder reported. 

The sub-committee reviewed audit objections related to the Petroleum Division for the period from 2011-12 to 2022-23. During the meeting, the committee took up an audit para concerning alleged irregular bonus payments by SSGC.

Syed Naveed Qamar questioned the mechanism used to approve and disburse the bonuses, asking the company’s management to explain the rules, eligibility criteria and approval process.

He said the company needed to provide complete details or cite an established example, adding that routine day-to-day work should not qualify for bonus payments. The convener also asked SSGC to disclose who received the bonuses, who did not, and what basis was used for making the payments.

He said the board was also accountable and that the committee needed to know the criteria applied in awarding the bonuses.

Finding SSGC’s explanation inadequate, the PAC sub-committee deferred the audit objection and directed the company to submit comprehensive details of the bonus payments before the matter is taken up again.