The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) will hire an independent auditor to verify oil marketing companies' price differential claims (PDCs) after finding that several companies submitted false claims. This was revealed by an OGRA official while briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat regarding PDCs payable to OMCs.
Senate Committee Meeting Highlights
The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, which met under the chairmanship of Senator Rana Mahmood ul Hassan, discussed disparities in salary scales, dual nationality, and OGRA performance claims. The committee also proposed the inclusion of members from both houses of Parliament in the High-Powered Selection Board process to ensure greater transparency and oversight in senior-level appointments.
Salary Disparities and Dual Nationality
The secretary of the Establishment Division, who also serves as acting chairman OGRA, provided an update on management pay scales and the progress of the Civil Service Reforms 2026. The committee expressed significant concern regarding the lack of uniformity in salary structures across various government cadres. Senator Aimal Wali Khan noted that salary differences between departments for officers of the same grade remain a point of contention, leading the committee to direct the Establishment Division to develop a mechanism for salary uniformity and to provide a detailed plan to bridge existing pay disparities among service groups.
The committee also reviewed the status of officers in BS-17 and above holding dual nationality. While current rules do not place an absolute bar on dual nationality for civil servants, the committee was informed of a proposed policy requiring such officers to declare their status and obtain government permission within 90 days. The committee directed that a draft policy regarding dual nationality be provided.
Price Differential Claims and Audit
While briefing the committee regarding PDCs payable to OMCs, it was informed that 40% of the amount has been disbursed to companies as per policy after due process, and that the remainder will also be disbursed after careful audit and completion of the prescribed formalities. It was further informed that OGRA is currently hiring an independent audit firm to verify these claims, due to concerns that several companies are submitting false claims for payments. The federal government will pay PDCs of Rs 125 billion to OMCs. Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti questioned the timeline for the completion of this audit, noting that companies are traditionally paid within a week. The committee directed that the process be expedited within two weeks.
Minority Quota and Women Representation
Additionally, the committee was briefed on revised criteria for the minority quota in senior positions. The Civil Services Academy has initiated measures to ensure the implementation of the 10% women's quota and enhanced representation for minorities in grades BS-19 to BS-22. The committee also decided to call upon the Finance Division to deliberate on the issue of disparities in salary structures across federal government departments and to undertake a comprehensive financial analysis of pay frameworks. Furthermore, the committee recommended the inclusion of members from both Houses of Parliament in the High-Powered Selection Board to enhance transparency, accountability, and parliamentary oversight in senior-level appointments.
Other Matters
The committee directed that the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) be called in the next meeting to brief on reported instances of malpractice as well as its salary structure, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was asked to appear specifically to explain its salary framework. The committee further instructed the Cabinet Division to furnish a comprehensive report on the salary structure of all federal government employees to facilitate informed deliberations.
The committee reviewed a presentation by Tolhawk on Smart Water Monitoring and Early Flood Warning Systems. Recognising the specialised nature of climate-related disaster management, the committee requested Senator Aimal Wali Khan to refer this matter to the Climate Change Committee for further discussion and follow-up.
The meeting was attended by Senators Saadia Abbasi, Mohammad Abdul Qadir, Anusha Rehman, Aimal Wali Khan and Atta ur Rehman, while Senators Saleem Mandviwalla and Amir Waliuddin Chishti participated virtually via Zoom. Secretary Establishment and Cabinet Division and other senior officials were also in attendance.
