ISLAMABAD: The country’s premier tourism development organisation — Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) — has been functioning without its head for over the past seven months and efforts are being made to reappoint a former managing director of the corporation.

It has been learnt that some names from the PTDC’s hierarchy were sent for the vacant slot. However, the authorities concerned did not consider them, apparently to appoint someone else from outside the PTDC.

When contacted, Information Minister Pervez Rashid, who is also chairman of the PTDC board, told Dawn that nothing was being done to appoint a new MD of the corporation.

He said the PTDC board was incomplete at the moment and a decision regarding appointment of the MD would be made after completion of the board. “At first, we will complete the PTDC board then we will go for the appointment of the corporation’s MD,” he said.

However, a source said that completion of the board had nothing to do with the appointment of the new MD.

“Completion of the board is an internal matter of the PTDC and the present strength of the board can also nominate any member for the vacant post with a two-thirds majority,” the source said.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2016