IESCO sacks 87 officers for violating set procedures

This follows the sacking of Iesco CEO last year


Our Correspondent August 10, 2016
The inquiry launched by the ministry fixed responsibility on Iesco CEO Yousaf Awan and removed him from the post. PHOTO: APP

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has sacked 87 officers who were appointed during the present regime of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) government in violation of set procedures.

Last year, the Ministry of Water and Power had sacked Iesco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yousaf Awan for being allegedly involved in a Rs450-million scam by illegally hiring 2,000 employees, officials say.

These 87 officers of grade 17 and 18 were appointed during time of former Iesco chief Yousaf Awan and Director General Human Resource (DGHR) Tariq Mahmood.

Mehmood was from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and was deputed in Iesco during the PML-N government.

Officials familiar with the development said that Secretary Water and Power Younis Dhaga had played a key role in sacking these officers. He directed the concerned quarters to initiate an inquiry despite running up against higher ups who were reluctant to take action against these officers.

Officials said that a company ‘resource’ was hired to take tests and conduct interviews of the candidates. This company only had a limited experience - and that too of dealing with people applying abroad. The move came following an inquiry initiated by the ministry to fix responsibility for the irregular appointments.

The ministry had already sent Iesco DGHR Tariq Mehmood back to his parent department - the Intelligence Bureau - as he was also found to have played a major role in hiring people in the company.

Mehmood was a teacher and was appointed in the Intelligence Bureau. After the current government came to power, he got a slot in Iesco where he allegedly got involved in corruption.

However, the Ministry of Water and Power has yet to take any action against people  who were accused of sending the lists of people to be hired to Iesco.

According to officials, all power distribution companies took the services of National Testing Services for making appointments, however, the top management of Iesco relied on another testing company that was reportedly established by a close aide of the Iesco chief. The company received a total fee of Rs450 million from the candidates who had applied for different posts. This was in addition to the bribe taken from the candidates to ensure their hiring.

Apart from this, Iesco gave an advertisement that suggested that the number of people to be hired could be decreased or increased. “Taking advantage of this, Iesco appointed 2,000 people,” an official aware of the development said.

The inquiry launched by the ministry fixed responsibility on Iesco CEO Yousaf Awan and removed him from the post.

Services and recruitment rules were amended and tailored in a way to make the candidates fit for different slots the candidates paid for.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th, 2016.

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COMMENTS (1)

Sawaiz | 7 years ago | Reply Great move by the minister!!
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