Disgraced former FDE chief now CADD minister’s education adviser

Kayani was kicked out for being unqualified for the post.

ISLAMABAD:

After being kicked out of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) for lacking the required educational qualifications, he is now back with a bigger and a better post.

The prime minister has appointed former FDE Director General Atif Mehmood Kayani as special adviser to the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) minister on education and health affairs, it has been learnt.

Sources in the ministry told The Express Tribune that a notification on Kayani’s appointment as special adviser to the federal minister has been already issued.

He will be assisting the minister in issues pertaining to education and health in the federal capital. As the FDE falls under CADD’s control, Kayani is now supervising the body he was found unqualified to run.

When contacted, Kayani said he knows that he is being appointed an adviser to the minister, however he also expressed ignorance about the responsibilities he will have.

CADD Spokesperson Rafiq Tahir also expressed ignorance about the development, claiming he “had just learnt of the news” from members of the press who were approaching to confirm the report.

Kayani was removed from the FDE’s top post in May after the Supreme Court ruled on a petition filed by a former FDE head Dr Shahnaz Riaz.

Despite having little background in the education sector, Kayani had managed to muster the support of teachers by implementing the much-awaited timescale formula.

Under the formula, almost all the schools and colleges teachers were promoted to the next grade, a case that had been pending for years.

Kayani is still chairman of the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA).

The slot of FDE chief has been lying vacant since Kayani’s removal despite the court ordering the immediate appointment of a new DG.

Almost a month after the verdict, a summary was forwarded to the prime minister for the appointment of a new DG with three names. The prime minister had approved the summary and recommended Dr Riaz.

Tahir Rafiq confirmed that a new DG will be brought in within this week, acknowledging that the recommendation leaves Dr Riaz as the only candidate for the slot.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2012.