The Senate Standing Committee on Industries has noted that some employees of state-owned enterprises had been working for eight to 10 years despite getting golden handshake and being allegedly involved in embezzlement of Rs320 million.

However, officials of the Ministry of Industries told the committee, which met on Friday, that they had no knowledge of the matter and also no recovery of money had been made yet.

Committee members voiced anger over the response and directed the ministry to come up with all details in the next meeting.

The Senate panel meeting, presided over by its chairperson Senator Khalida Ateeb, was not attended by the caretaker federal minister of industries and the production secretary. The committee expressed its annoyance over the absence of the minister and secretary.

“Everyone knows the prevailing situation of the industry. We are not satisfied with the performance of the ministry,” a committee member remarked.

It was disclosed that some employees continued to work in state units even after taking golden handshake. “How they worked after receiving the golden handshake,” the panel asked.

Senator Humayun Mohmand pointed out that NFC employees got double salaries and perks as they, after taking golden handshake in 2007, stuck to their jobs till 2016-17. Investigations have been pending for the last 11 years.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2023.

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