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A massive financial controversy erupted during the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom’s recent session. The committee scrutinised the perks and privileges enjoyed by Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd (PTCL) Board members. Specifically, the agenda focused on the hefty fees paid to government officials for attending board meetings.
PTCL officials briefed the committee on the current structure. They attempted to clarify that standard perks “are not structured that way”. However, they admitted that board members receive a specific fee for attending meetings.
PTCL Document Reveals Staggering Fee Structure
TechJuice acquired an official PTCL letter dated January 9, 2026. This letter provides a detailed breakdown of the remuneration and perks for its board members. Amidst heavy criticism regarding lavish perks during times of financial pressure, the document discloses the following payouts:
- Chairman’s Meeting Fee: The Chairman receives a massive USD 8,000 for each meeting attended.
- Directors’ Meeting Fee: Each Director (excluding the Chairman) is paid USD 5,000 per meeting.
- Committee Fees: Members of Board Committees receive an additional USD 1,000 per meeting.
- Additional Perks for Chairman: Besides the meeting fees, the Chairman also receives a monthly honorarium of Rs. 25,000 and is entitled to a 1300cc car with a driver.
Government Officials Receiving Massive USD Payouts
This new data clarifies the earlier concerns raised by the Senate committee. The committee had questioned how government employees could receive such large sums in USD.
PTCL officials previously confirmed that four government members sit on the board:
- Three secretaries
- One Federal Minister, identified as Ahad Cheema
Based on the revealed structure, these government officials, serving as directors, are receiving $5,000 for every board meeting they attend.
The Chairperson of the Committee had stated that paying such amounts to individuals already drawing a government salary is inappropriate.
Direct Violation of the Prime Minister’s Orders
The revealed figures stand in direct and stark conflict with the Prime Minister’s explicit directives. Senator Saadia Abbasi had reminded the committee of the PM’s strict notice on this issue.
The Prime Minister had placed a hard cap, stating no one should take more than Rs. 1 million as a fee. Any amount exceeding this cap was ordered to be returned to the national treasury.
With the current exchange rates, the confirmed payments of $8,000 and $5,000 are vastly superior to the PM’s mandated limit of Rs. 1 million. The committee continues to scrutinise this open defiance of official orders.
