ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Advisor on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood has reportedly held National Accountability Bureau (NAB) responsible for not getting good quality private professionals for public sector entities, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

He took this stance at a meeting of federal cabinet held on October 29, 2019 presided over by the Prime Minister, Imran Khan. At the outset of Cabinet meeting, sources said, Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted certain pending matters including finalization of alternative energy projects involving the World Bank funding, reconstitution of the National Information Technology Board (NITB) and appointment of Chairman, State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC), which is also on the active list of privatisation.

During a discussion, the Minister for Power clarified that necessary action relating to alternate energy projects was in hand. An AEDB Board meeting has been scheduled. Nepra has been consulted. Provinces are also being consulted and process will be concluded shortly. There will be no delay in the expected World Bank funding.

The Minister for Information Technology & Telecommun-ications stated that the requisite action in terms of reconstitution of NITB had been completed and would be submitted for approval of the cabinet shortly.

The Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industries and Production and Investment stated that the Ministry was unable to find good quality professionals for the position of chairmanship of SLIC due to aversion of private professionals from public sector jobs because of the NAB factor. On August 8, 2019 , addressing a press conference, Abdul Razak Dawood had stated that actions of NAB are an area of concern and he has raised this issue with the Prime Minister.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN