ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has directed Shalimar Recording and Broadcasting Company (SRBC), to pay Rs 10.32 million i.e. outstanding dues to a company in lieu of security services, which SRBC had regretted paying due to a financial shortage.
He also asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary to ensure payment of outstanding dues in monthly installments within one year and seek approval from the appropriate forum within six months if necessary.
President issued instructions
The President issued these instructions while dismissing SRBC’s representation against the Wafaqi Mohtasib’s (WM) ruling ordering it to pay Rs 10,320,800 to a security company (the complainant company) for security services rendered. SRBC acknowledged the outstanding dues but said it was unable to pay them, even in easy installments, due to financial limitations it has encountered since 2020. Dissatisfied, the security company looked for the Wafaqi Mohtasib, which passed the orders in its favor. The SRBC then made a representation to the President, which was denied.
The President said in his decision that it was strange that SRBC had taken the position before the President that it did not fall under the definition of “the Agency,” which according to President’s Order No. 1 of 1983 meant a Federal Government Ministry, Division, Department, Commission, or office, or a statutory corporation or other institution established or controlled by the Federal Government. He said that SRBC was a public-sector company founded under the Companies Act of 2017 and that it was administratively controlled by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under the Rules of Business of 1973.
The President claimed that SRBC had failed to fulfill its liabilities, which it had previously admitted, and had simply refused to pay the sum, which was tantamount to maladministration under Article 2 of President’s Order No. 1 of 1983. He added that the WM’s findings were well-reasoned and logical and that the SRBC had failed to present anything on record in support of its claim.
The President said that after SRBC’s maladministration was established, it was directed to pay the outstanding dues in accordance with Wafaqi Mohtasib’s orders. He continued on to say that the Secretary of MOIB should make the payment and, if necessary, get approval from the competent forum within six months.
