The Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom held a session today, during which the agenda regarding the privileges and entitlements of PTCL board members was discussed in detail.
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During the meeting, PTCL’s legal advisor briefed the committee, clarifying that PTCL board members do not have permanent perks. PTCL officials added that members receive only a participation fee for attending board meetings.
According to PTCL authorities, the government has four board members in PTCL – three federal secretaries and one federal minister for economic affairs. Senator Saadia Abbasi inquired about the identity of the federal minister, to which PTCL officials replied that it is Ahd Cheema.
Senator Abbasi also cited that the federal law minister had stated that the Prime Minister had taken strict notice and ordered that these payments be stopped. The Prime Minister reportedly said that no member should receive a fee exceeding ten lakh rupees, and any excess amount should be returned to the national treasury. The chairperson asked if any amount had been refunded so far.
The committee raised concerns over how government employees were receiving $8,000 for attending meetings, questioning the appropriateness of such payments. The chairperson emphasized that for government officials already receiving a salary, additional allowances for attending board meetings were unnecessary and suggested that only travel expenses, such as air tickets, should be provided.
It was also noted that federal officers earning salaries of up to 400,000 rupees were reportedly receiving up to 2,000,000 rupees for attending board meetings. The chairman questioned when this policy was implemented and when it was last revised. PTCL officials confirmed that the policy was revised in 2025. They added that if the rules are properly amended, these perks could potentially be abolished.
The committee’s scrutiny highlights growing concerns over transparency and accountability in the entitlements of board members of federal institutions.
