The committee further directed the Ministry of IT&T for sharing the draft rules with the committee before notifying to address the lacuna if there exists. The chairperson committee gave directions that a sub-committee be formed under secretary IT to gain consensus of all stakeholders. She also instructed that a draft of the rules be sent to members of the committee in advance, so that it can be reviewed in greater detail.
The meeting commenced with discussion on the implementation status of recommendations made by the committee in its earlier meeting regarding payment of increased pension and other allowances to the pensioners of Telephone Industries of Pakistan (TIP). The secretary IT briefed the committee about the issue and stated that pay scale 2015 and 2016 were to be adopted and a raise in pension was to be given to TIP pensioners from the year 2016.
The TIP Board of Directors in its 192nd meeting held on 31st January, 2018 has approved adoption of new pay scale for the year 2015 and 2016, and raise in pension for the year 2016, subject to the concurrence from Finance Division. The case was again placed before TIP Board of Directors in its 193rd meeting held on 6th April, 2018.
It was decided that instead of Finance Division, the secretary IT & Telecom being Principal Accounts Officer (PAO) of the Ministry IT may decide the matter. The secretary IT approved adoption of pay scale 2015 and 2016 and raise in pension in 2016 vide letter No.8(5).2017-(F&A); dated 28-6-2018.
In line with the approval by the secretary IT, the management of TIP processed the case and adopted pay scale 2015 & 2016 and raise in pension 2016. Moreover, pending liabilities were cleared.
The secretary further stated that all payments were made from the date announced by the government of Pakistan up to 30 June, 2018. A total payment of Rs 84.952 million was made in both heads.
Senator Rubina Khalid on behalf of all members lauded the ministry for the compliance and said that a huge milestone in this regard has been achieved.
Regarding the issue of International Clearing House Exchange (ICH), Senator Malik enquired about the agreement under which it was created and those who benefited from it. He further questioned the reasons for scrapping it and stressed the need for calculating losses and reviewing it via an international auditing company after which a comprehensive report be submitted to the committee.
Rehman Malik said that hundred of thousands mobile phone handsets are being imported with the same International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) which are being used in cyber crimes and terrorist activities.
The chairperson committee suggested that since numerous simultaneous issues are confronted by the committee of interior and committee of IT, a joint meeting to resolve issues permanently would be beneficial. It was suggested that legislation must be enhanced to deal with these issues effectively.
The meeting was attended by Senator Abdul Rehman Malik, Senator Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi, Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, Senator Sana Jamali and senior officers from the Ministry of IT, Ministry of Law and Justice and the FIA.