Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has escalated scrutiny of public sector compensation, demanding full disclosure on a managing director drawing Rs1 million monthly while the government touts austerity. Lawmakers on Thursday challenged the legality and ethics of such packages, particularly for officials with questionable credentials and attendance records. Main Developments Committee member Aimal Wali Khan spearheaded the challenge, targeting the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) managing director's appointment. He alleged the official lacks a Pakistani National Identity Card, was born a British citizen, and yet receives a monthly salary of Rs1 million. Another OPF official reportedly earns Rs2.5 million per month, according to the senator. Khan further raised alarms over a separate issue, claiming the OPF managing director has a prior conviction by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The senator questioned how a person with such a record could secure another government appointment, prompting the committee to order authorities to provide complete appointment details, including selection process, eligibility criteria, and terms of service. Read also: 4 ways digital monitoring can transform Pakistan's petroleum sector Attention also turned to NEPRA Chairman, who reportedly receives Rs3.2 million monthly despite alleged absence from office. Khan stated the chairman fell ill weeks after appointment, stopped attending committee meetings, yet continues to draw his full salary. The committee demanded an explanation and directed officials to enhance transparency and accountability across public institutions. Background Establishment Division officials defended the high salaries, arguing that suitable candidates are not always available for specialised positions, necessitating higher pay. This defence comes amid broader government messaging on fiscal restraint and austerity measures. The committee's review also covered appointments through the High-Powered Selection Board (HPSB) and the Central Selection Board (CSB), key bodies for senior public sector roles. Separately, the committee received a briefing on the telecommunications sector, including the proposed merger of Ufone and Telenor. PTA Chairman Maj Gen Hafizur Rehman (retd) reported Pakistan now has 210 million active SIMs, highlighting continued growth in mobile connectivity. He noted PTCL and Ufone are being separated as part of restructuring, with a new company to emerge post-merger. Why It Matters The scrutiny exposes a tension between official austerity narratives and actual compensation practices in state-owned entities. Lawmakers are questioning whether public funds are being used efficiently, especially when officials allegedly fail to perform duties or meet basic citizenship requirements. The outcome could set precedents for how public appointments are vetted and compensated. In the telecom sector, the Ufone-Telenor merger represents a major market consolidation affecting millions of subscribers. PTA officials assured the committee that current Ufone service disruptions would be resolved once the merger completes. Additionally, a new partnership with NADRA aims to enable SIM issuance through the Pak ID platform, allowing citizens to obtain SIMs digitally from home. What's Next The committee has directed authorities to submit complete information on the OPF managing director's appointment without delay. The Establishment Division secretary indicated an HPSB meeting is expected within four to five weeks, while the CSB is likely to convene within six to eight weeks. Committee Chairman Rana Mahmoodul Hassan stressed the need for timely submission of required information on appointments, governance reforms, and institutional performance. Senator Saleem Mandviwalla also raised questions about Pakistan's pace in adopting eSIM technology, noting many countries have already shifted. The PTA's digital transformation efforts, including the Pak ID integration, signal ongoing modernisation. Lawmakers will likely continue pressing for answers on both salary justifications and telecom sector progress in upcoming sessions.