Govt Officers on PTCL Board Entitled to Just Rs. 1 Million Per Year Salary: IT Minister

The Senate of Pakistan was informed that government officials serving as members of the Board of Directors (BoG) of Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) are entitled to a maximum annual remuneration of Rs. 1 million. Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja shared these details while responding to questions regarding the salaries and allowances of the board members. In a written reply to the Senate, the Minister stated that the cap on remuneration for government officials is part of the guidelines issued by the Finance Division on July 10, 2024. These guidelines mandate that any amount exceeding PKR 1 million in annual payments must be deposited into the government treasury. Additionally, officers are required to maintain detailed records of such deposits and submit them to the administration wing of their respective ministries for compliance. She elaborated that the PTCL board structure is governed by the shareholder agreement between the Government of Pakistan and Etisalat International Pakistan, the strategic investor. The board comprises nine directors, five of whom are nominated by Etisalat, while the Federal Government is entitled to nominate four, including the Chairman. According to the written reply government appointees to the PTCL board receive remuneration for their services, which is strictly regulated to ensure transparency and accountability. The guidelines ensure that the government’s shareholding interests are protected without compromising public trust in the management of the organization.