Fake degree is not an issue for LDA

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Information Technology (IT) Project Director Mansoor Butt continues to hold his office with impunity despite his graduation degree having been declared fake by the Punjab University (PU). LDA Director General Abdul Jabbar Shaheen has not taken any action against Mansoor so far. However, it was said that the matter was under investigation and a decision will come soon. Mansoor has been working as LDA IT project director since August 2009. Earlier this year, LDA requested the PU controller examination to verify Mansoor’s Bachelors of Computer Science (BCS). On October 14, PU notified in a letter that the particulars in the photocopy of BCS degree provided in respect of Mansoor Butt son of Mehmood Butt pertaining to BCS Annual Examination 1998 under Registration No 96-pu-221 and Roll No 00029 had been checked with the relevant record and found that the degree’s particulars did not exist and the said degree was not issued by PU.
Consequently, his contract appointment was liable to be terminated forthwith without giving any notice under Clause-x of the offer for appointment issued vide No LDA/ADMN/1698 dated August 22, 2009 Meanwhile, it also revealed that when Mansoor Butt was appointed, basic Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were ignored. LDA issued offer for appointment to him as project director (IT) on contract basis on August 20, 2009. It stated that the appointment would be subject to verification of educational certificates and degrees by the institutions recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
Although his appointment stool illegal, LDA submitted a summary to the chief minister’s Secretariat for the regularisation of his services working on contractual basis in grade BS-18. Though LDA rejected the regularisation of contractual employees, some months ago, from grade 1 to 15, but in case of Mansoor Butt it was stated in the summary that Mansoor was appointed on the recommendation of selection committee headed by LDA DG; the post was advertised and appointment was made through open competition
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif allowed LDA to appoint Mansoor on with a salary of Rs 90,000 for supervising the computerisation of Johar Town Scheme, with effect from August 22, 2009 for three years. Former LDA DG Umer Rasool initiated the move to regularise Mansoor’s services on the direction of Shahbaz Sharif.
The summary said that the reform agenda in LDA and its successful implementation required the development of in-house facilities and provision of a pool of talented, competent and dedicated human resource led by a competent team leader like Butt. The summary said that Mansoor’s contract was going to expire onAugust 21, 2012. His departure will create a massive void in LDA, as none among the present hierarchy of Computer Services Directorate possessed the skill and ability to keep LDA’s process of overhauling on track, the summary added. The summary said further that all the projects and software, which were developed and implemented by Mansoor, were never a part of the role assigned to him as PD (IT).
“In fact, he is working extra hours and is going out of the way to further the process of reformation of LDA. Chief Minister is requested to allow the appointment of Mansoor Butt form contract mode to regular mode at earliest,” the summary requested.
Sources said that LDA had already made an attempt to grant Mansoor a two-year extension from August 22, 2012. However, LDA Chairman Ahad Cheema has turned down the summary for extension.