Illegal appointments: Over 180 teachers sacked in G-B

Decision taken following recommendations by concerned committee.

GILGIT:

More than 180 government employees of Gilgit-Baltistan’s education department, appointed over the years, have been sacked.

Sources said a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team had launched investigations into these appointments, which were alleged to be illegal following reports of rampant corruption in the department. “Those terminated had been hired illegally during the period of 2009 to 2011,” maintained an insider.

Nawaz Khan Naji, a nationalist leader, recently alleged jobs in the G-B education department were on sale and could be purchased by the highest bidder.

According to a government notification, a committee constituted in December last year submitted its recommendations stating the appointments were illegal. Most of the sacked teachers belonged to Gilgit city. The issue was also repeatedly raised by politicians, urging the government to take action.

Sajjadul Haq, a spokesman at the chief minister secretariat, said on Saturday the decision to take action was taken in light of recommendations made by the committee. “The committee was formed by the education minister himself after reports of illegal appointments surfaced,” he reiterated.

Those who have been sacked said they will challenge the decision in courts. “We were being paid in the past, but our salaries have been blocked for the last six months,” said one teacher.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2013.