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Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: A major controversy has erupted over the hefty meeting fees and perks provided to the Chairman and members of the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) Board of Directors. Official documents reveal that the PTCL Chairman receives $8,000 per board meeting, while each director is paid $5,000 per meeting.
Additionally, members of board committees receive an extra $1,000 per meeting. Documents further disclose that the PTCL Chairman is also given a monthly honorarium of Rs. 25,000 and is entitled to a 1300cc official vehicle with a driver.
These lavish payments continue despite PTCL facing financial pressures and operational challenges, drawing sharp criticism from the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication. The issue has been discussed in the committee at least three times, with senators expressing outrage over the lack of transparency and fairness—especially since these fees are being paid to serving government officials (federal secretaries and a minister) who already draw full government salaries.
According to the document, the PTCL Board includes three federal secretaries and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema as members. The committee has questioned how these dollar-denominated payments exceed the government’s stipulated annual cap of Rs. 1 million for additional earnings by public officials, with any excess required to be deposited into the national treasury. Senators have demanded clarity on whether excess amounts are being returned and criticized the arrangements as opaque and unjust amid economic hardships faced by ordinary citizens.
Lawmakers have described the perks as “shahana” (royal/extravagant) and unacceptable for a public-sector entity under financial strain, calling for greater accountability and transparency in governance. The revelations have raised serious questions about PTCL’s performance, board accountability, and the use of taxpayer funds in state-owned enterprises.
