Information and Technology Secretary Naguibullah Malik has said that there is no ‘turf war’ between him and Adviser to Prime Minister on IT Sardar Abdul Latif Khosa, as their roles are different.
Talking to “The News” regarding Khosa’s allegations, he said it was his professional duty to ensure efficiency and transparency in the Information Technology Ministry, being its administrative head.
“Since my assumption of charge as the IT secretary on May 19, 2009, I have tried to establish high standards of professionalism and there are some success stories. However, I am neither responsible nor can I give comments on the action taken prior to my posting,” he said, adding: “I can safely say that despite some deficiencies and capacity issues, the ministry is in the right gear to meet challenges”.
He said information with regard to the USF and ICT R&D Fund companies was available at www.usf.org.pk and www.nictrdf.org.pk which is transparent and available for general public to audit it.
“At present, activities being undertaken by the IT Ministry and its attached organisations are strictly in accordance with the given legal and policy parameters, and open to any kind of scrutiny,” the IT secretary added.
An official of the ministry, however, said Adviser Khosa acted in an arbitrary and whimsical manner. “He wanted his orders implemented forthwith, without any check or hindrance. However, the IT secretary insisted on going by the book,” the official added.
Since most of the adviser’s decisions were in conflict with the legal-cum-administrative framework; therefore, their implementation was widely resisted. “The IT Ministry is responsible for the policy formulation and the PTA is the regulator and it functions under the administrative control of the cabinet secretariat.” The official said both entities had to adopt investor-friendly policies, as the IT and Telecom sector contributed towards the economic growth of the country, as Pakistan was a known IT and Telecom investment destination.
The adviser went wrong in targeting the multinational telecom investor companies, unnecessarily, without realising their importance and the fact that the ministry is driven by the private sector entities.
The companies contribute their share of profits to the USF fund and National ICT R&D fund companies, which is the basic financial resource of the companies.
Besides, they are deeply involved in expansion of telephony and broadband connectivity in the country.
The official said because of the adviser’s behaviour and attitude, some companies had put things ‘on the hold’. “The adviser could not comprehend the dynamics of the IT and Telecom industry, and annoyed every one in the process. His tenure would always be identified with a logjam, which prevailed in the IT Ministry during his six-month stay,” he added.
“The allegations levelled by Khosa against Wahajus Siraj are not only false, but bizarre as well. The Internet Service Provider Association of Pakistan (ISPAK) has always been a strong advocate of Internet content filtering software and even helped the government in 2003 to develop the technical specifications and details for such a software, but the IT Ministry, then headed by Awais Leghari, and the PTA backed out from getting that software developed.”
The ISPAK has documentary evidence of all previous letters. Its recent press briefing was related to counter the anti-Pakistan propaganda of Fox News for ranking the country as number one in Internet porn searches, something that was duty of Mr Khosa and his ministry.
But since the government did not bother countering insult of the country and its people by a foreign TV channel, the ISPAK came forward to present the facts to the media, again nothing related to the content filtering software.
“Actually Khosa is infuriated because illegally ‘denotified’ directors of R&D Fund first refused to appoint his brother-in-law as CEO and then approached the high court for seeking justice,” the official added.
Khosa just stay away
Khossa has just gone mad. It is his first time in the government and he just doesnt know how to deal with him. Inveties his family to all IT and Telecom seminars and has been pestering everyone.
Not that IT secretary is a capable one but what khossa has done is essntially ruined the ruins.
Total nalaiqi program hai MoIT main aur PTA main aur yes sab na laaiq are reporting to Cabinet division which know zilch about regulatory bodies and the Prime Minister who has no clue what IT and Telecom can do to this country only if we stop dreaming about selling licenses and frequencies and look at what really needs to be done!
The bureaucracy won. What is the good reason of appointing Secretary IT, Joint Secretary IT admin and Joint Secretary Development all Rtd army (Signal group) men. All of them were together in the army. It is a shame for the nation of Pakistan that they have no civilian for IT Ministry after destroying every department and Organization these retired army Col and Gen are now given the charge to destroy the IT Sector. What is their contribution for IT. The executive directors snacked by the Minister were the most corrupt and non IT & Telecom professionals.
The honorable Secretary IT Rtd Col Najibullah Malik is the son in law of Gen Mujeeb ur Rehaman ex Secretary Information in Zia regime . He has served in Punjab Government and has brought bad name to the Government. He has provided services in Religious Affair (Hajjis quota) where everyone is aware of his great achievements for Hajji quota.
There are only baseless roamers against the IT Advisor. What corruption he has done in four months, he is only trying to utilized the IT for the public services. The Minister Incharge is accused of having thoughts of placing his relative on a CEO post. Did he sack 4 Executives to get one post for his kin. He is removed from the charge on the basis that Secretary IT thinks he will do this and that what is on ground. People are accusing that he will do but have committed no crime so far in IT Ministry.
Why the Ministry is so afraid of him, what they are hiding? We all know the progress and accusations on other Ministers. Does he has fake degree? Why the kind PM has taken action after knowing that he “might” do something wrong? What is the achievement of Ministry of IT and what is their contribution in last two years?
We all know that IT has no share in providing services to the Citizens, the projects were to favour the big IT companies which all failed and no services for the Citizen. Do Retd Col Secretary IT would like to tell the Nation what is his achievement in the last two years in the Ministry of IT. He is not answerable to any of you. After his retirement he is enjoying full benefits of a Secretary and what is his qualification.
Under his kingdom the IT Professionals are working as slaves. Do they have IT Cadre, job security, medical facilities or any reason to work for IT. The position of IT professionals under the Ministry is pathetic the cleric staff has been given more facilities then these slaves. Through these slaves the Executives are enjoying full powers. These IT professional (slaves) are deprived of basic human rights to control them. Who is responsible? Why should Secretary IT care, he is enjoying every facility after his retirement from army this country is for army and bureaucracy to suck the blood out of the veins of bloody civilian.
PM should reconsider his decision and give some time to the Mr. Latif Khosa, let him do some cleanup.
Ministry of IT should inform the nation what is their achievements in last two years.
The IT professionals request the honorable PM to reinstate Mr. Khosa as Minister Incharge IT. My questions to the Secretary IT are:
Universal Service Fund Company
1. Why major chunk of subsidized projects was awarded to those companies who had their representation on the board of the USF Company e.g. PTCL and Telenor. PTCL got projects over 7.7 billion, whereas, they never paid a single rupee, as they were required to commission 83,000 lines in rural sector in-lieu of 1.5% of specified contribution by every licensee.
2. Why CEO USF Mr. Perviaz was appointed without applying for the job and is still holding the position after expiry of his contract and has awarded 20 Billion Rs contracts.
3. Why CEO of ICT R & D Fund Company awarded 33 out of 37 project without the consent of board and non of its project have any outcome.
4. Why the hiring in the ICT & D is through the private sector, the employees were siding with their favorites for positions.
5. Why the brother of Member Telecom is in USF and his wife in PTA.
6. Why Member IT is on his position for last 10 years and so far failed to give a IT policy and define cadre for IT Professionals and still holds the position. Is there no one suitable for this position in Pakistan in last ten years?