Irrigation dept official clings on to same post for 7 years

As per the rules, no one can spend more than three years at the same post, lest they refuse to be promoted

PESHAWAR: An official has monopolised a post in the K-P Irrigation department for little over seven years.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune on Friday that Irrigation Department South Administrative officer Javed Ahmad has been occupying the same post in the Peshawar unit since 2007. He was briefly transferred to another station but soon returned as an administrative officer.

“As per the rules, no one can spend more than three years on the same position,” an official of the department told The Express Tribune on Friday, explaining that for some one wishing to remain in the same position was inexplicable. “An official can only retain a position if he or she refuses to be promoted.”

According to the official, Ahmad is currently responsible for a large fraction of the administrative affairs in the department.

“Ahmad has repeatedly refused to be promoted and wants to hold the same position,” he said. “We have reason to believe he has some vested interests and therefore wants to remain in the same unit.”

The official added that Ahmad should be allowed to work in the same capacity but must be shifted to another station.

South Chief Engineer Kamal Jehangir could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts to contact him.