The Senate was informed that government officials serving as members of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) Board of Directors are entitled to an annual remuneration of up to Rs. 1 million. Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, provided these details in response to questions regarding the salaries and allowances of board members.
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In her written reply, the Minister stated that this remuneration cap is in line with guidelines issued by the Finance Division on July 10, 2024. Under these guidelines, any amount exceeding Rs. 1 million in annual payments must be deposited into the government treasury. Officials are also required to maintain detailed records of such deposits and submit them to the administration wing of their respective ministries for compliance.
She highlighted that PTCL’s board structure is governed by a shareholder agreement between the Government of Pakistan and Etisalat International Pakistan, the strategic investor. The board comprises nine directors, with five nominated by Etisalat and four by the Federal Government, including the Chairman.
The government-appointed directors on PTCL’s board are compensated for their services, but these payments are strictly regulated to ensure adherence to transparency and accountability standards. The Finance Division’s guidelines are designed to protect the government’s shareholding interests while maintaining public trust in the organization’s management.
The Minister emphasized that these measures reflect the government’s commitment to promoting good governance practices within state-owned enterprises and fostering accountability in financial matters related to public institutions.
