Finance ministry refuses to fund new posts in FDE

Former PM Gilani had allegedly asked for new posts to be created.

ISLAMABAD:

The finance ministry has refused to overtax resources to accommodate former premier Gilani’s alleged request to induct political supporters in the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). The new posts have not yet been approved by current Prime Minister Raja Parvaiz Ashraf, The Express Tribune has learnt. 

The ministry has objected to funding over 340 new posts for teaching and non-teaching staff for FDE advertised by Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) without approval from the PM. His predecessor had officially banned fresh recruitments shortly before leaving office.

Officials in the finance ministry said two main objections were raised to the summary for approval sent by CADD. “It did not carry the premier’s consent and funds were not available,” said an official who did not wish to be named. The official added that CADD should have obtained a no-objection certificate from the PM before advertising 340 new vacancies.

CADD Secretary Riffat Shaheen, when approached for comments, claimed that the summary was sent to the PM for approval. She said she was not aware an objection had been raised by the finance ministry. “I’m not aware of any such development, but the summary has been sent to the PM for approval. The posts were advertised and it took long to finalise the recruits’ induction,” she added.

Around 340 posts for teachers and non-teaching staff had been advertisied by CADD giving September 21 as the last date for application. FDE received 150,000 applications. According to the advertisement, 220 teachers’ posts were advertised in grade-14 and 120 for non-teaching staff.

Sources said CADD had advertised these vacancies in order to oblige the PM’s political supporters. “In every tenure, there are some elements who try to oblige the new PM with these tactics,’’ said another source requesting anonymity.

Gilani had also announced the regularisation of contractual employees including over 800 teachers, but the process is yet to be completed.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2012.