{
  "id": 17815671,
  "title": "Govt Shortlists Candidates for 4 Positions on PMDC Board",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/govt-shortlists-candidates-for-4-positions-on-pmdc-board",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-02T15:02:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/11/02/mine-owners-chief-nominated-for-pmdc-board/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pakistani government has compiled a list of four candidates for key positions on the board of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC). This selection process has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as one of the nominees is directly linked to the contractors that PMDC is currently in dispute with.\n\nThe Ministry of Petroleum has forwarded the shortlisted candidates to the Prime Minister, who will ultimately appoint four independent directors to the PMDC Board. The first panel includes Zafar Mahmood, proposed as Chairman, alongside Shehryar A. Buksh and Dr. Nisar Ahmed Cheema. The second panel consists of Mir Behroz Regi, Ardeshir Khursheed Marker, and Javaid B. Sheikh. The third panel features Muhammad Ayub, Zarak Khan, and Mian Ghulam Mustafa, while the fourth panel comprises Sima Kamil, Zara Salman, and Javeria Tareen.\n\nOne candidate, Mir Behroz Regi, is under scrutiny due to his role as the President of the All Pakistan Mine Owners Association (APMOA). APMOA includes many members of PMDC's Raising Contractors (RCs), who have been paying PMDC around Rs. 1,500 per tonne of coal while selling it in the market for approximately Rs. 40,000 per tonne. This discrepancy threatened to push PMDC into financial difficulties, prompting the introduction of a Joint Operation Model to increase revenue, enhance oversight, and promote safer mining practices. However, the contractors have resisted these changes through strikes, legal action, and political pressure, with PMDC currently contesting these disputes in various courts.\n\nThis situation raises concerns about the fairness of decisions made by a board member who has a vested interest in the contractors' continued success. The current arrangement results in PMDC receiving less than 4% of coal's market value, while contractors earn about Rs. 38,500 per tonne. The government is advocating for these reforms to attract foreign investment to the mineral sector. However, the nomination of a candidate with potential conflicts of interest may undermine the credibility of the PMDC Board as it navigates these contentious issues.",
  "summary": "The head of Pakistan’s mine owners’ body has been nominated for the Board of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), … Read More The post Govt Shortlists Candidates for 4 Positions on PMDC Board appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}