The chairman and the general manager (Overseas) of the BTTB attended the Global Telecom-munication Meeting 2004 (GTM 2004) held in Washington DC on May 17-21. However, the GM's official report on the meet shows the chairman was present at only one of the 14 critical meetings arranged with different overseas operators.

The chairman's said absence has reportedly deferred the state-owned telecoms monopoly recovering its dues in foreign exchange from the overseas telecoms carriers. Moreover, the BTTB could not obtain free equipment offered by its overseas counterparts to boost its foreign exchange income from increased international call traffic.

The BTTB chairman, for taking his wife along, had obtained a one-week leave but spent a fortnight in Washington with his two sons, who live in the US, skipping weeklong official duties and obligations.

The Daily Star reported the event on June 7 and Muhammad Tahir Hussain,director of the PMO, attached the news item while seeking comments from the ministry's secretary on the issue.

The BTTB, chairman refuting the allegation in his own report placed on June 7, claimed he had met seven international carriers at the GTM 2004.

Of the seven carriers the BTTB chairman claimed to have met, four -- Global Communications, Fusion Telecommunications International, New Skies Satellite and Orient Network -- do not have any business with the BTTB.

The chairman's report also claims he met the US carrier Sprint Telecom, which the GM in his report denied.

Sources said the ministerial investigation, scheduled to start after the telecoms minister returns from abroad next week, will focus on the conflicting statements of the chairman and GM.