The Prime Minister’s Office has intervened to revise nominations for the Board of Directors of Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) after intelligence agencies flagged potential conflicts of interest involving individuals allegedly linked to the sitting Federal Minister for Petroleum.
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According to official sources, routine background checks by intelligence agencies raised concerns over two nominees: Barrister Muhammad Ahmad Qayyum, reportedly a first cousin of the Petroleum Minister, and Ms. Tayyaba Kamal Malik, said to be well known to him. Both were not only recommended for the PPL Board but had also been shortlisted for positions on the boards of other major state-owned energy companies, including Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).
The initial nomination list had been finalized by the Board Nomination Committee (BNC) — chaired by the Petroleum Minister himself — and included the Secretary Petroleum, representatives from the Finance Division, and the Chief Secretaries of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The reconstitution of the board became necessary following the expiry of the previous board’s term on September 13, 2025.
Upon receiving intelligence inputs highlighting the potential conflicts, the Prime Minister’s Office directed the immediate removal of both controversial names from the list to uphold transparency and avoid any perception of nepotism or undue influence.
In response to a question posed by this correspondent, the Petroleum Minister confirmed that the names of Mr. Qayyum and Ms. Malik had been removed from the updated nomination list. He denied any familial ties with Ms. Malik, stating that she is not his sister, and attributed her inclusion to an earlier, outdated version of the list.
The revised nominations feature several prominent figures. Mr. Zafar Masud, President of the Bank of Punjab, has been proposed by the Petroleum Division as an independent director and prospective Chairman of the PPL Board, with Mr. Pir Saad Ahsanuddin and Mr. Arif Hameed nominated as his alternates.
The Finance Division has put forward Mr. Rahim Nasir as an independent director, with Ms. Shamim Bashir and Mr. Asif Inam named as alternates. Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary of Balochistan has nominated Ms. Shamam Tul Amber Arbab, alongside Ms. Afshseen Shakoor and Dr. Ayesha Waqar as her alternates.
Another independent director nominee is Ms. Najma Kamal Haider, whose alternates are Mr. Saqib Ahmed Saki and Mr. M. Sohail.
