The case of illegal recruitments in ZTBL is also being scrutinized in National Accountability Bureau (NAB). ZTBL is a public sector enterprise with 100% ownership of Federal Government. It is functioning as a public limited company with express purpose of ensuring good governance and autonomy through an independent Board of Directors appointed by the Federal Government. The organization remained under the supreme control of President ZTBL Talat Mehmood who allegedly misused his authority and recruited about 1200 officers 'without' observing due process of law and in violation of ZTBL's own recruitment policy.
The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), in its audit report of 2017-18 claimed that the appointment of Chief Operating Officer (COO) was also illegal. In addition, financial irregularities of millions of rupees have also been unearthed in the audit report.
The documents submitted to Supreme Court reveal that a complaint was lodged by Mian Wajid of All Pakistan ZTBL Officer Association, Islamabad on illegal recruitments.
"ZTBL President has been asked to take notice of the order of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and submit report on the application so as to reach this court on/or before January 15, 2019," said, Director Human Rights Cell.
A similar complaint containing allegations of massive illegal appointments against senior positions i.e. Executive Vice President, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice President and Assistant Vice President, etc., receiving salaries between Rs 100,000 to Rs 600,000, including free of cost vehicles on ownership basis valued between Rs 1,200,000 to Rs 2,200,000, was lodged before National Accountability Bureau (NAB) by the General Secretary of CBA Union on April 16, 2018 is also under enquiry process in NAB.
The complainant Syed Muntazir Mehdi had questioned the appointment of Talat Mehmood as President of ZTBL on a number of grounds. However, the Federal Government terminated his services on October 15, 2018. After removal of Talat Mehmood from ZTBL, Sheikh Amanullah has been appointed acting President ZTBL. The complainant had questioned the appointment of Mehboob Hussain as Chief Finance Officer/EVP.
The incumbent acting President has initiated action against Mehbood Hussain wherein exactly the same charges as contained in the complainant have been framed against him.
Supreme Court has been told that the bank's operations in the field of HR, business efficiency and discipline are being controlled by the following illegally recruited Executives hired on the basis of political influence. The source said prescribed rules and procedure were not followed as no equal opportunity was provided to other aspirants with written test not held.
Presently, the bank is working on ad hocism. Finance Division is short listing the candidates for appointment of regular President of ZTBL which is functioning without any Board for the last one and half years which implies that no authority is present to monitor bank's actions.
