Interior ministry accused of nepotism
ISLAMABAD:
A total of 485 constables and 111 assistant sub-inspectors are still waiting for their formal induction into Islamabad Police.
These officers-inwaiting were selected after a series of tests but some police officials claim that the stalemate is the result attempted nepotism and favouritism in the Interior Ministry. A police official, on condition of anonymity, alleged that after the fair selection process had been completed, the Interior Ministry asked for their “favourites” to be assigned the posts. “The Ministry had given us a list of over 200 people for adjustment into the advertised posts,” he said. “But the [selection] committee maintained that the selected persons had already been intimated of their recruitment and they were being bypassed, they could take legal action,” he added.
This infuriated the Interior Ministry and they suspended the final selection, he alleged. In late 2009, the Interior Ministry had given a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Islamabad Police for recruiting 485 constables and 111 assistant sub-inspectors. The posts had been advertised and more than 70,000 applications received from all over Pakistan. Written tests and interviews were conducted in January 2010 and the list of successful candidates was finalised by the selection committee, before the Interior Ministry issued a directive barring the selection committee from releasing this list. “No reason was given [for the suspension of recruitments],” said Kamaluddin Tipu, DIG Headquarters, while talking to The Express Tribune. “The Ministry suspended the recruitments for the reasons best known to it,” he added.
The police department had already completed the selection process and decided who to recruit. “We had completed our part of the work for selection and recruitment. The final decision is still pending due to suspension by the ministry,” Tipu said. Another police official, who was involved in the selection process, said the recruitments were done in a transparent and fair manner. “We had decided not to tolerate any nepotism way before the selection process. We followed it strictly. I am certain that every person was selected on merit,” he said. The official recalls the selection process.
A man, with masters in English, came to try out for the selection process. “He did not have enough money to get himself running shoes. He ran bare foot,” the official said. “In the interview we found him eligible for the post of ASI but he had appeared in the test for constable. This is how people were selected,” he added. The police department has decided not to bend its back against any pressure. And this is exactly why the recruitments have been suspended, the official believes.
Another group of police officials alleged that certain officials in the Interior Ministry had taken bribes from people to allot them posts in the police. “The Ministry officials had taken Rs250,000 each from people, promising them jobs in the advertise posts,” they accused. Officials of the Interior Ministry were not available for comments, despite repeated attempts to contact them.
Published in the Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2010.
A total of 485 constables and 111 assistant sub-inspectors are still waiting for their formal induction into Islamabad Police.
These officers-inwaiting were selected after a series of tests but some police officials claim that the stalemate is the result attempted nepotism and favouritism in the Interior Ministry. A police official, on condition of anonymity, alleged that after the fair selection process had been completed, the Interior Ministry asked for their “favourites” to be assigned the posts. “The Ministry had given us a list of over 200 people for adjustment into the advertised posts,” he said. “But the [selection] committee maintained that the selected persons had already been intimated of their recruitment and they were being bypassed, they could take legal action,” he added.
This infuriated the Interior Ministry and they suspended the final selection, he alleged. In late 2009, the Interior Ministry had given a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Islamabad Police for recruiting 485 constables and 111 assistant sub-inspectors. The posts had been advertised and more than 70,000 applications received from all over Pakistan. Written tests and interviews were conducted in January 2010 and the list of successful candidates was finalised by the selection committee, before the Interior Ministry issued a directive barring the selection committee from releasing this list. “No reason was given [for the suspension of recruitments],” said Kamaluddin Tipu, DIG Headquarters, while talking to The Express Tribune. “The Ministry suspended the recruitments for the reasons best known to it,” he added.
The police department had already completed the selection process and decided who to recruit. “We had completed our part of the work for selection and recruitment. The final decision is still pending due to suspension by the ministry,” Tipu said. Another police official, who was involved in the selection process, said the recruitments were done in a transparent and fair manner. “We had decided not to tolerate any nepotism way before the selection process. We followed it strictly. I am certain that every person was selected on merit,” he said. The official recalls the selection process.
A man, with masters in English, came to try out for the selection process. “He did not have enough money to get himself running shoes. He ran bare foot,” the official said. “In the interview we found him eligible for the post of ASI but he had appeared in the test for constable. This is how people were selected,” he added. The police department has decided not to bend its back against any pressure. And this is exactly why the recruitments have been suspended, the official believes.
Another group of police officials alleged that certain officials in the Interior Ministry had taken bribes from people to allot them posts in the police. “The Ministry officials had taken Rs250,000 each from people, promising them jobs in the advertise posts,” they accused. Officials of the Interior Ministry were not available for comments, despite repeated attempts to contact them.
Published in the Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2010.