Senate panel warns IT ministry over telecom boards’ secrecy

A parliamentary committee on Tuesday warned officials of the Ministry of Information Technology that a privilege motion could be moved against them after they refused to disclose the names of board members of state-owned telecom entities. The warning was issued by Senator Palwasha Khan, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom, after the special IT secretary declined to share the names of board members of PTCL and Ufone. Committee members expressed annoyance as ministry officials continued to avoid the question for over half an hour despite repeated demands to disclose the names, perks, and criteria of selection of the board members.