Appointment of permanent DG in Pak-PWD: Senate body questions inordinate delay

The Senate's Standing Committee on Housing and Works on Wednesday expressed serious reservations over the running of affairs of Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD) by an acting in-charge Ali Akbar and corruption allegations in the department.
The committee met here with Maulana Tanveer-Ul-Haq Thanvi in the chair to discuss the failure of the ministry in appointing a regular DG Pak-PWD since 2009. The committee also examined the performance and legal status of current DG Pak-PWD. The committee was also briefed about legal status of post of the Chief Engineer (South Zone).
The committee chairman said that the parliamentary panel was not against anyone, but the absence of a regular DG at Pak-PWD was a problem. The national institution was facing several problems whereas numerous people are objecting to Chief Engineer, South Zone.
He said that a letter was written to the Secretary Housing and it was recommended to appoint an honest Chief Engineer on permanent basis instead of giving someone acting charge.
The committee chairman directed to present the appointment summary of the acting DG Pak-PWD Ali Akbar, approved by the Prime Minister. The committee also sought report that on what grounds the Central Selection Board kept Suresh Mil Chief Engineer under watch when the Establishment Division went into intra-court appeal in the High Court. Secretary Housing said that after the retirement of the former DG, a summary for promotion was sent to the Establishment Division, however no promotion was given. He said there were difficulties to run the affairs of Pak-PWD and the current DG was the most senior officer in the department.
Establishment Division has opposed, but Prime Minister had given the look after charge for 90 days. A summary proposing officers promotions in grade 21 was sent four times. It was also recommended that there is no regular DG and Central Selection Board rules need to be amended so that Director General can be appointed from outside as well. It was also proposed that 50 percent officers should be given promotion while 50 percent should be allowed deputation, but the matter is still pending.
Senator Saeed-ul-Hassan Mandokhail said that influence should not be used for promotion or hiring of officers on deputation. Senator Shahi Syed said that due to suspension of promotion process, corruption was being reported in the department. "There are corruption allegations against officers and inquires are under process," he added.
Federal Minister for Housing and Works Akram Khan Durrani said that Secretary Establishment was requested twice for making the rules flexible. A grade 20 official went to the Supreme Court; the decision came against him and in favour of Akbar Ali Sheikh. No Chief Engineer has been currently posted in Balochistan while other charge has been given to SDO. Post of SDO is vacant and recruitment would be made through Federal Public Service Commission.
The minister further said that 500-600 vacancies were lying vacant. The union is also seeking quota and stay order from the court. Legal advisors are not taking interest and if lawyers are paid good amount, objections are raised, he added. The committee directed to sit with the union to resolve the matter amicably. The Minister said that letters were written to all four provinces for Apna Ghar Scheme and except Sindh other provinces have marked the land. A flat comprising of two rooms, bathroom and kitchen will be provided at Rs 1.2 million at a prime location at Jehangir Road in Karachi.
"Accommodation is a big problem in Islamabad for government employees," said the minister, adding that in sector F-6 90 houses are 60 years old and a summary for demolishing them has been moved to Prime Minister. After the approval, 14 stories buildings with 1200 flats would be constructed in the area. He further said that after this, flats would be built in Sector G-6 and Lal Quarter areas.