PM removes DG PSQCA over alleged financial and administrative irregularities

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has initiated action over alleged financial and administrative irregularities in the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), with the Ministry of Science and Technology seeking federal cabinet approval to terminate the contract of the authority’s Director General (DG) and initiate departmental proceedings under the PSQCA Act, 1996.

According to sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the immediate removal of the DG PSQCA following the findings of a fact-finding committee report. The prime minister has also approved action against the official based on the inquiry’s recommendations.

Sources said the inquiry report substantiated allegations against the DG, prompting the government to move forward with disciplinary measures. The prime minister has further directed authorities to recover any unlawful benefits allegedly obtained by other officers and employees identified in the inquiry report.

In addition, a high-level committee has been ordered to formulate reforms aimed at improving governance and transparency within the PSQCA, sources added.

The Ministry of Science and Technology had issued a notification on July 13 regarding the termination of the DG’s contract. However, the DG subsequently approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), challenging the decision.

On July 16, the IHC ordered the reinstatement of the DG PSQCA pending further proceedings. The court is scheduled to hear the case again on July 30.