Corrupt official may head OGDCL
By: Usman Cheema | Published: January 09, 2010
ISLAMABAD – With many questions already being raised about the performance of OGDCL, the government is seriously considering the name of Najam Haider, former MD of OGDCL with a dubious past and a close relative of Iqbal Z. Ahmed, as the new head of the corporation.
Najam Hyder had become Acting Managing Director for OGDCL in 2003 upon the retirement of Major General Pervaiz Akmal. At that time his name was formally moved for permanent appointment as MD OGDCL but was shot down by a report of a sensitive agency.
This report had stated “Najam Kamal Hyder is a man of dubious credentials and, therefore, not a suitable choice for the slot. He is an opportunist, who due to pursuit of his self interests and shortsighted vision has already caused a colossal damage to OGDCL.”
Interestingly, when the report of the sensitive agency exposed Najam Hyder to be made MD after retirement of General Pervaiz Akmal, Najam Hyder was serving as Director Corporate for OGDCL and was still given charge of Acting MD OGDCL and he stayed in this position till his retirement
Now again preference for the appointment of Najam Kamal Hyder is understandable, a senior OGDCL official said to this scribe on condition of anonymity, as he is related to the LPG king Iqbal Z. Ahmed, with Iqbal’s son Fasih Ahmed being married to the daughter of Najam Hyder. It is pertinent to mention here that Iqbal also had good relations with General Musharaf.
TheNation has reliably learnt that Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources has finalised a panel for proposing to the Prime Minister the appointment of Managing Director for Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and the Prime Minister is to appoint the new Managing Director within days.
The candidates include Raziuddin, an Ex MD of OGDCL, Najam Kamal Hyder also an Ex MD of OGDCL and Hilal Raza of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.
The current MD OGDCL, Syed Zahid Hussain has gone on a seven-week medical leave and the charge of acting MD OGDCL has been given to Shah Mahboob Alam.
Syed Zahid Hussain’s tenure has been marred by charges of corruption and incompetence and sources in the petroleum sector believe that Zahid Hussain was brought in to serve the interests of certain high level personalities in the current Government as the previous MD Arshad Nasar had disappointed the top persons by disobeying their unjustified orders.
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