Senate chief’s brother Raziq removed from Saindak firm MD post

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has removed Mohammad Raziq Sanjrani from his position as Managing Director of Saindak Metals Limited (SML) after revelations that his appointment violated established rules, marking the end of a 15-year tenure in violation of executive services rules.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had previously concluded, in April 2018, that Raziq Sanjrani’s appointment in 2008 as MD of SML was illegal, but no action was taken by the PML-N government at the time. Notably, Raziq Sanjrani is the brother of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.

Acting on the directives of caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, the federal government officially rescinded the appointment on Friday. A notification issued by the Ministry of Energy on December 8, 2023, formalized the withdrawal, citing the prime minister’s approval and recommendations from the Establishment Division, ministries of Law and Justice, and Energy.

The Petroleum Division disseminated the notification, stating, “In accordance with the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s approval – following recommendations from the Establishment Division, and the ministries of Law and Justice, and Energy – the appointment of Mr. Raziq Sanjrani as MD/CEO of Saindak Metals Limited, as per notifications 3(1)2008-SML dated October 27, 2008, and July 23, 2011, is hereby revoked with immediate effect.” The revocation is based on the violation of the executive services rules of the company.

Simultaneously, the Chairman of the Board of Directors (BoD) has been instructed to convene an urgent board meeting to take necessary actions following prevailing company laws and the service rules of Saindak Metals Limited.

Raziq Sanjrani’s appointment coincided with the period when his brother, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, headed the prime minister’s complaint cell from 2008 to 2013. The NAB highlighted that Raziq’s appointment was made on the recommendations of Balochistan’s former chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, with former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani complicit in the illegal appointment.

NAB had emphasized that the appointment was illegal due to Raziq’s lack of qualifications for the position and his absence of prior experience in mines and minerals. At the time of his appointment, Raziq Sanjrani was only 24 years old.