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Lt. Gen (R) Abdul Qayyum

Lt. Gen (R) Abdul QayyumEx-Chairman Pakistan Steel
Born: N/A
Profession: Pak army Personnel
Affiliation(s): Pakistan Army

Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Qayyum is a former Pakistani general officer who is noted for the turnaround of Pakistan Steel Mills where he presided for three years. He was commissioned in artillery division of Pakistan Army in 1968 and is a war veteran. His important assignments during service were instructor at the National Defence College unit commander in Royal Saudi Land Forces and military secretary with two Prime Ministers. He also commanded an infantry brigade and an artillery division.

Experience with Pakistan Ordnance Factories

General Qayyums last appointment while in uniform was chairmanship of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories which he took over in September 1998. It is a massive industrial undertaking comprising 14 plants responsible for serving all of Pakistans military requirements. Prior to his appointment this industrial complex was noted within Pakistans borders and to a few developing countries. Under Qayyums leadership a global marketing strategy was implemented resulting in POF becoming a successful supplier of arms and their spares to Germany Ireland the United Kingdom Switzerland and the United States. He retired from Pakistan Army in January 2004 and was subsequently given charge of Pakistan Steel Mills. He was replaced by Major General Muhammad Javed as the chairman of POF.

Experience at Pakistan Steel Mills

At retirement Abdul Qayyum was made the chairman of the board of Pakistan Steel. He was made chairman in place of Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Afzal Khan of the 29th PMA Long Course who died prematurely. In fact the turnaround of Pakistan Steel Mills was initiated by Afzal Khan who took over the management in 1999.

When Gen Qayyum took over Pakistan Stell was riddled in debt tainted with charges of corruption and in a state of disrepair due to bad management and lack of capital investment. Within two years the chairman managed to clear Pakistan Steel of all debts and signed an agreement with Transparency International to remove any stigma of corruption associated with the Organization. Furthermore he successfully implemented a Quality Management System (QMS) resulting in ISO accreditation in five separate areas. Under Abdul Qayyums leadership Pakistan Steel achieved its highest profitability in two consecutive years. These achievements were critical in attracting 19 International bidders for Pakistan Steels privatization.

He was replaced again by Maj Gen (retd) Muhammad Javed as PSM chairman in September 2006.