Gilgit-Baltistan assembly: Resolution slams rules violation in hirings

JUI-F, PML-N lawmakers exchange harsh words over PWD sackings.

GILGIT: Lawmakers in Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly passed a resolution on Monday calling for strong action against department heads violating recruitment rules.

Lawmakers also asked the government to ensure the adoption of service rules.

The resolution, tabled by Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Syed Raziuddin, was unanimously approved. “Rules have persistently been violated over the past two decades,” Raziuddin said, adding that the Public Works Department (PWD), police, education department, health and livestock were some departments where merit was overlooked in appointments.

When Wazir Shakeel, an independent lawmaker, suggested investigating all such cases and punishing all violators, he was supported by all members of the house.

The assembly witnessed some rowdy scenes as lawmakers representing JUI-F and PML-N exchanged harsh words. The incident occurred after Rehmat Khaliq of the JUI-F criticised the government for sacking employees in the PWD. “Instead of providing jobs, the government is sacking people,” he said before demanding their immediate restoration. Khaliq said this in reference to an incident where the PWD had sacked some employees, whose service was said to be in violation of rules.

The demand of the JUI-F legislator angered a senior PML-N lawmaker, Janbaz Khan, who accused Rehmat Khaliq of fighting with PWD officials on an ethnic basis. “Everyone who got jobs in violation of rules and regulations must be shown the door,” said the PML-N legislator.

Women lawmakers urged all legislators to maintain proper decorum and be civil with each other and warned that they would boycott the assembly proceedings if such abusive language was heard in the assembly again. The speaker helped control the chaos.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2011.