Pakistan Bait ul Mal has come under intense Senate scrutiny after lawmakers flagged Rs335 million in financial irregularities, 191 illegal promotion cases, a Rs60 million procurement inquiry, and fake degree allegations within the welfare institution meant to serve the country’s poorest citizens.
The Senate Sub Committee on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, chaired by Rubina Qaimkhani, expressed serious concern over non compliance with earlier committee directives and warned that no further extension would be granted. The committee said failure to implement its orders would result in direct references to NAB, FIA, the Auditor General, the Prime Minister and the Chairman Senate.
The most controversial matter involved 191 promotions, which the committee said were illegal from the start. Cases involving Kashif Nadeem and Bilal Anwar were also declared illegal from the beginning, with orders to recover all extra benefits received.
In the case of Zafar Khan Safdar, the committee ordered cancellation of his reinstatement, recovery of salaries and references to FIA and NAB.The committee also noted that 41 officers had been denied promotions for 12 to 22 years despite 52 vacant posts, calling the delay a violation of a Supreme Court judgment.
It directed that promotion notifications be issued with full arrears and stopped all new hiring until a fair promotion system is finalized.Officials informed the committee that PBM has around 5,000 employees hired over time, while government right sizing directions have led to 60% of posts being made inactive or removed after board approval.
The secretary said promotions were delayed due to restructuring but would now move forward. The committee also reviewed a Rs60 million sewing machine procurement case. The Managing Director told lawmakers that the inquiry had been completed, show cause notices had been issued to about 40 individuals and final action was expected within 15 days.
However, PBM still faces financial irregularities of Rs335 million, and a recovery plan under the Public Money Act is still pending. In another serious case, the committee discussed the fake degree of Rizwan Ahmed, confirmed by HEC. It ordered cancellation of his appointment, a reference to FIA and the formation of a new inquiry committee.
The chair stressed that Pakistan Bait ul Mal works for poor and vulnerable people and must not run on favouritism, weak systems or delays in accountability. The committee also discussed the need for an e filing system to stop files from going missing and asked for a briefing on Women Empowerment Centres.
The meeting ended with a strong warning that previous orders are still in place and any failure to follow them will lead to strict action against those responsible.
