Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has taken a controversial step by deciding to convert the post of Director General (DG) of the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) to the MP-I scale, effectively increasing the salary package to approximately Rs. 9.65 lakh per month. This decision appears to bypass the federal government’s rightsizing committee, which had recommended transferring the institute to a university or placing it under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
The ministry is justifying this move by citing a 2019 federal cabinet decision, but the timing of the conversion has raised suspicions. The institute itself has been marked for relocation, making the urgency to appoint a high-salaried DG questionable. Insiders claim the move benefits a specific individual who is expected to be appointed for a three-year tenure, despite ongoing discussions about transferring the institution.
To offset the budgetary impact of this conversion, the ministry has proposed eliminating 11 positions at NIO, including those of draftsmen, divers, lab assistants, and other support staff. This restructuring is projected to save Rs. 10.25 million per month, which would cover the salary and benefits of the newly proposed MP-I scale DG position. The working paper outlining these changes is set to be discussed in a Board of Directors (BoD) meeting scheduled for February 3, 2025.
Critics argue that such a major structural change should be left to the new ministry or university that will eventually take over NIO. They believe that proceeding with the MP-I scale conversion now undermines the broader restructuring agenda that the federal government had planned for the institute. The urgency with which the BoD meeting has been arranged, with some members participating online, has further fueled speculation that the decision is being pushed through hastily to cement control over NIO’s leadership and financial structure before its eventual transfer.
Official documents reveal that the MP and SPS Scales Conversion Committee had approved the conversion back in its meeting on August 26, 2021. However, this approval came with a condition that the increase in pay should be offset by cutting lower-grade vacant positions—a condition MoST is now citing to justify the eliminations. The federal cabinet had initially formed this committee in December 2019 and January 2020 to review and approve requests for MP-scale conversions across different government departments.
The DG NIO post has been vacant since January 6, 2024, following the expiration of Dr. Samina Kidwai’s contract. The ministry argues that upgrading the post to MP-I scale is necessary to attract highly qualified candidates from the open market. However, with NIO’s future still uncertain, many question whether such an appointment is necessary at this stage.
Financially, the ministry claims that the restructuring will have a neutral impact on the budget since the cost of the MP-I scale DG’s salary will be covered by the savings generated from the abolished positions. Under Sections 6 and 8(e) of the NIO Act 2007, the BoD has full authority to approve such structural changes, including reallocation of funds. This legal framework gives the board control over NIO’s administrative and financial decisions, allowing the ministry to proceed with the conversion without requiring additional budgetary allocations.
Despite these justifications, concerns remain about transparency, governance, and the broader implications of the move. The decision to eliminate lower-grade positions to finance a high-paying executive post raises ethical and economic concerns, particularly regarding job security for employees in technical and support roles. Moreover, the rushed nature of the decision-making process and its potential alignment with individual interests rather than institutional needs have further fueled skepticism.
As the February 3 BoD meeting approaches, all eyes will be on how this decision unfolds. Whether it is an administrative necessity or a politically motivated maneuver remains a point of contention. With the federal government’s rightsizing initiative still in motion, the future of NIO and its leadership remains uncertain, leaving stakeholders questioning whether this move truly serves the best interests of Pakistan’s oceanographic research and institutional integrity.
