Admin DD ‘blocks’ employees regularisation to settle personal score

The ICT Administration Deputy Director Muhammad Munir has been blocking the regularisation of around 140 low-grade contractual employees for many months without a justification. In March 2012, a Cabinet subcommittee led by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah had ordered the regularisation of all contractual and daily wage employees in government departments, but Munir has so far failed to comply. Employees told Pakistan Today that the officer has been using delaying tactics in the matter just to settle a personal score with some individuals.
Many contractual employees have been working with the ICT administration for 12 to 15 years and said they fear that further delay in the matter would deprive them of rights as elections were approaching.
“I have been working as a contract employee for the last 7 years hoping that my luck would change and I would get my regularisation letter, but the way this case is being delayed, I don’t think I ever will,” said an employee, wishing not to be named. Employees said they had been working in their respective grades for many years without being regularised, while contractual and daily wage workers in departments like the CDA, Federal Directorate of Education, Radio Pakistan and APP ad already received their regularisation letters. “I have been waiting for 15 years to get regularised, but even when the government has approved our regularisation, our files are not being forwarded for notifications, “said a driver. During a visit to ICT offices, Pakistan Today observed that there were 24 employees in the Population Welfare Department, 40 in the Local Government and 82 employees in Union Councils and Civil Defence, whose due regularisations had been delayed. These employees include gardeners, drivers, peons, sanitary workers, guards, computer operators, etc.
They have requested the chief commissioner and deputy commissioner to look into the matter and initiate an inquiry against Munir.
When contacted, Munir said he has been ‘working’ on these files. Pakistan Today also learnt that Munir is an administration superintendent in grade-16, but due to close relations with ICT higher officials, he has been enjoying the additional charges of additional deputy director (BPS-17) and deputy director (BPS-18) posts.