By Naveed Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: The Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), an organization under the Ministry of Energy – Petroleum Division, is facing a concerning situation as it has been unable to appoint a Secretary/General Manager (GM) since 2020 and a Law Officer since its establishment in 2015. The prolonged vacancies in these crucial positions have raised significant concerns, with no evident efforts being made to address the issue, according to sources within HDIP.
The post of Secretary has remained vacant since Mr. Sarfraz Ahmed’s tenure as Secretary/GM of HDIP ended in 2020. Despite the best efforts of former HDIP Director-General, Dr. Saeed Jadoon, suitable candidates for both positions could not be appointed during his tenure. Consequently, the absence of a Secretary/GM and Law Officer has created a leadership void within the organization.
What is particularly alarming is the fact that the position of Law Officer has remained vacant since its creation in 2015. To make matters worse, an Assistant named Mr. Ahmed Ali, who completed his LLB degree while working at HDIP, has been unlawfully holding the position. The department’s failure to rectify this irregularity raises concerns about its adherence to proper procedures and regulations.
Sources have also revealed that another officer at HDIP, Imran, is simultaneously holding positions in Accounts and Administration, which is irregular from an audit standpoint. Allegedly, both Mr. Ahmed Ali and Imran are exerting pressure on the acting DG of HDIP to prevent the filling of these vacant positions, presumably due to their vested interests. Several individuals have brought these irregularities to the attention of the Ministry of Petroleum, leading to an inquiry being initiated. However, there are allegations that some officials within the ministry are attempting to hinder the investigation.
Surprisingly, Mr. Musadiq Malik, the MOS Petroleum Division and Chairman of the Board of Governors (BOG) of HDIP, has failed to address these irregularities. The ministry’s silence regarding the appointments of the Secretary/GM and Law Officer has resulted in the steady decline of the department, while certain officials seem to enjoy their positions without facing any consequences.
When approached for comment, the DG of HDIP, Mr. Sajid, was unable to provide a response, further deepening the concerns surrounding the organization.
Given the gravity of the situation, it is imperative to conduct a thorough investigation into all the irregular activities at HDIP at a high level. Identifying the individuals responsible for these actions is crucial to preventing further deterioration of the organization.
