Karachi: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had made appointments while violating service regulations and paid Rs 45.934 million in line of salaries and allowance to employees, it has been learnt.

According to official documents, PTA HQ under Cabinet Division, Islamabad made appointments in various cadres and incurred an expenditure of Rs 45,934,238 on pay and allowances of employees during FY 2022-23.

Reports reaching here said that examined recruitment record of twenty-three cases on test check basis found that eligibility criteria mentioned in advertisement and related to age, qualifications and experience were not compatible with pre-requisites envisaged in Annex-B of Regulations. In addition, PTA management appointed two Assistant Directors and one IT Officer for which relevant posts were not available in Annex-B of PTA Employees Service Regulations 2008.

Audit contends that due to weak internal control framework PTA management did not adhere to Service Regulations and made irregular appointments and incurred irregular expenditure. Reply of PTA is not tenable on matter, said report. It said that Chairman PTA is empowered to make appointments under criteria envisaged in Annex-B of ESR, 2008 which was violated.

Further, appointments were made against those posts which were not available in attached Annex-B of Regulations. Matter was discussed in DAC meeting. DAC directed PTA to get relevant record in terms of quota etc. verified from audit. DAC further directed PTA to review reported matter in depth and share progress achieved with Audit within one month.