KP illegal recruitment scam: Services of 230 employees terminated

PESHAWAR: After the approval of chief minister, show-cause notices were issued to five officers involved in illegal recruitment during the PTI previous government in 2021.

Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur approved termination of 230 illegal employees from the Law and Human Rights Department. The inquiry committee has recommended all accused officers be barred from holding any administrative positions in the future.

Additionally, all the vacancies resulting from terminated appointments should be filled through a proper legal process, ensuring compliance with APT Rules, 1989.

Documents reveal recruitment exercise was carried out in violation of rules regarding zonal and special quotas, making it an illegal exercise. It has been recommended salaries paid to illegally recruited employees either be voluntarily re-deposited into the government treasury or declared as arrears of land revenue.

The inquiry found the officers were guilty of serious violations, irregularities and illegalities. The key findings include approved penalties. Noor Ali, Director (BPS-19) at Lissail-e-Wal Mahroom Foundation and the then Deputy Director of Human Rights Department, was found to be the mastermind behind illegal recruitment. His dismissal from government service has been recommended under Rule 4(b) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2011. His actions, the inquiry found, caused substantial financial losses to the government treasury. Dr Asad Ali Khan, former Secretary (BPS-20) and the then Director General of Law and Human Rights, was penalised with a two-year increment freeze for his lack of administrative acumen and for placing blind trust in his subordinate officers. Mrs Wasima Jamil, District Attorney (BPS-19) and the then Solicitor, was found guilty of irregularities. However, due to her cooperation with the inquiry committee and her confession that the recruitment was only on paper, she was given a minor penalty of low grade for two years under Rule 4(a) of KP Government Servants Rules.

Ms Naveeda Naz, a member of Selection Committee, admitted to signing the merit lists under duress from her superiors. While a major penalty was considered, she was ultimately given a minor penalty under Rule 4(a).

Muhammad Bilal, Assistant Director (BPS-17) at PDMA and the then Section Officer, failed to ensure the recruitment process followed special and zonal quotas. His inability to properly apply relevant rules led to his penalisation with a minor penalty of a two-year increment freeze for lack of administrative acumen.