‘If the American president can do it, why can’t we?’

Sindh government violates rules: hires retired officials on contract, junior officials work at senior posts.

KARACHI: More than a 100 retired officials have been working on a “contract basis” in the Sindh government despite the cabinet’s decision to fire them.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Media Coordinator Taj Haider said that it wasn’t wrong if the government had appointed people on a contract basis and had given senior posts to junior officials. “Every government appoints persons who understand the manifesto of its party. We have to run the government and resolve people’s problems therefore we need employees who can work hard and understand the government policy.”

“When the American President can bring 15,000 people along with him, why is it so wrong if we have appointed 50 to 60 people on a contact basis?” he asked.

According to official sources, these employees have been appointed on important posts with lucrative perks and privileges.  Meanwhile, junior officials have also been working on senior posts — a clear violation of the rules.

“In its first cabinet meeting, the present government had banned re-employment and fired those who were given contractual jobs during the former chief minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim’s tenure. After which they started appointing their own people on contract,” the officials said.

Those who have been appointed include special secretaries, additional, deputy secretaries, additional IGs, DIGs, EDOs and consultants - a near fleet of retired officials.

Sources said that the government has decided to fire some officials because of a case filed in the Supreme Court against re-employment.  “The government is going to constitute a four-member committee to scrutinise the officials before removing them.” Meanwhile, the retired employees think since they have a vast experience in their field, their appointment is beneficial for the government.

Among others who have been re-appointed and their tenure has been extended are IGP Sultan Babar Khattak, DIG Traffic Khuram Gulzar, DIG Technical Nadir Khoso, DIG Larkana Din Muhammad Baloch and Additional IGP Special Branch Akhtar Hussain Memon.

Several junior officials have also been working at senior posts. For instance, the post of Special Home Secretary has been given to a junior district management official, Kazim Jatoi, who was earlier working as Jacobabad DCO.

“Kazim Jatoi is in 18 grade. He was given acting charge of grade 19 before he was appointed as DCO but now he has been appointed as Special Secretary, Home Department (PBS) 20, which is against the rules,” sources said.

When contacted, Jatoi refused to comment.

Meanwhile, Collin Kamran Dost, who after retiring from the post of the special secretary was appointed as consultant, told The Express Tribune that he was highly skilled, which is why the government seeks his assistance in different matters.

“I have given 34 years of my life to the Sindh government. I have not violated the rights of any junior. It is an administrative decision to appoint and remove any one. I am ready to accept either decision,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2011.