Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Raza Rabbani has questioned the placement of armed forces personnel to head state-run organisations during a debate on the matter in the Upper House of Parliament, listing over a dozen government institutions where he claimed former or serving members of the armed forces had been appointed.
“Is it not true that the director-general of the Anti-Narcotics Force is a soldier? Is it not true that the directors of SUPARCO and PTA belong to the army? Is it not true that the chairman of the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme belongs to the army? Is it not true that chairpersons of ERRA, WAPDA, and a member of the economic advisory committee […] directors of civil aviation, NDMA, and a member of the FPCS belong to the army?” the senator asked while speaking on the floor of the House. Rabbani requested that Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan ‘deny or accept’ his claims.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Senator Mushtaq Ahmed similarly questioned the appointment of army, air force and navy personnel he claimed were placed at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
“NADRA has appointed dozens of armed forces officers […] why don’t you take their names? They have occupied the entire NADRA,” Senator Ahmed said.
The Ministry of Interior had previously submitted a report which indicated that none of the almost 14,000 employees at NADRA were military servicepersons, in service or retired.
In response to the queries from both senators, Minister Khan stated, “No officer, on deputation, is appointed to NADRA […] the army is there for the country’s protection, what could be the reason behind this hatred?”
