The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) has failed to comply with Supreme Court orders to appoint a new Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) director general after the former chief was sent packing.
On May 18, the apex court dismissed former FDE chief Atif Mehmood Kayani, calling him “a half literate person” in its verdict on a petition filed by a senior FDE director, Shahnaz Riaz. The court had directed the concerned authorities to remove the then-DG and fill the position with an appropriate person immediately. However, the DG office is still closed since that day and the official car reserved for the FDE chief is still in Kayani’s possession.
Furthermore, sources also disclosed that the former DG, who is a personal friend of the man who appointed him---Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani---is still visiting the FDE office and allegedly working on some files by backdating them. It was also learnt that Kayani continues to attend functions as FDE DG and presides over key meetings as well.
Shahnaz Riaz is the senior-most FDE director, but she is sans office and the authorities are making hectic efforts to bring in a person of their own choice rather selecting on merit, sources said. Under the rules, the FDE chief must be an officer promoted from within the education cadre since the post is not a discretionary one.
When contacted, CADD Spokesperson Rafique Tahir said the summary for the appointment of DG has already been moved to the Prime Minister with three names and who is appointed when is at the discretion of the PM.
He added that there is no person within the FDE eligible for promotion to the post of DG as Shahnaz, who had filed the petition against the former DG, has already be promoted as director and she is not eligible for DG. He contended that she had been promoted to the post earlier but was later removed based on poor performance. “There is no chance of appointment of a DG from within the FDE due to the unavailability of an appropriate person,” Tahir said.
Tahir admitted that an official car is still with Atif Kayani but added that it will be taken back “soon”.
However, he dispelled the impression Kayani is still coming to the office and working on any files, saying that it is “hundred percent false” and merely an allegation.
He said that he will definitely take action if the allegations are proved to be true. Despite repeated efforts, Atif Kayani was not available for comment.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2012.
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