Political recruitments have destroyed railways: CJP

The Supreme Court (SC)  has suspended the decision of the Services Tribunal regarding 250 temporary employees who were made permanent and admitted the Pakistan Railways’ petition against them for hearing.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard the case regarding the tenure of temporary employees of Pakistan Railways.

Chief Justice Gulzar said, “Political recruitments have destroyed the railways. This is the condition of Pakistan Railways today due to the unprofessional behaviour of railway officials. That is why there is chaos in the railways.”

Justice Ijazul Ahsan said, “The 250 recruitments were made on a temporary basis.”

They make political recruitments and then make policies on a political basis to make them permanent, Justice Ahsan remarked, adding that railways is a government agency, “so why are recruitments done on political grounds”?

Read More: Pakistan Railways to take action against ghost employees

“Eighty per cent of the railways revenue goes to salaries and pensions.”

The chief justice said that the temporary recruits sit at home and collect their salaries, which is why there are so many accidents.

Justice Ahsan said, “There is no railways system and employees come home with salary. Temporary recruitments are made which are later embraced by the railways.”

The railways lawyer said that temporary recruitment is banned in railways.

Justice Ahsan remarked that they find a way even in a ban.

“Railway officials leave space for temporary recruitments. A policy has been formulated to make temporary employees permanent.”

The lawyer replied that this policy does not apply to the case of the employees under consideration.

“The policy came into force in 2012 and was applicable to temporary employees till December 31, 2011. Employees under consideration were recruited in 2013.”

The court allowed the appeal for hearing and issued notices to the parties and adjourned further hearing of the case indefinitely.