Iesco quashes illegal appointment of 87 officers

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) has quashed the illegal appointment of 87 officers who were hired during the incumbent government’s tenure after it was established that the hiring agency made glaring irregularities and illegalities to please the high and mighty. The Iesco decision came after the Ministry of Water & Power directed Iesco in February this year to do away with illegal appointments. The Iesco had to wait for a few months to let the contract of the 87 officers expire and did not renew their contracts hence ending their illegally gotten jobs.

Last year in December, the MoW&P sacked CEO Iesco Yousaf Awan after an inquiry proved that he had illegally recruited these 87 officers in the company. The report was submitted to the minister indicting Mr. Awan and others while secretary water and power recommended Awan’s removal. He was removed on December 9, 2015. The minister was told that the inquiry ‘clearly established without an iota of doubt or contradiction that the recruitment process undertaken in the Iesco during 2014-15 (87 posts in total) was dubious, fabricated and illegal. The whole process, based on facts established by the inquiry committee, consisted of gross irregularities, nepotism and favoritism and was in sheer violation of services’ rules and advertised criteria.’

The hiring firm selected by Iesco to recruit eighty seven officers forged the results of entry test of candidates to make them eligible for selection. The inquiry report that made the basis of removal of Iesco Chief Executive Officer, narrated the shocking tale as to how the results of pre-selected candidates were manipulated by M/s Resource Ltd in order to keep the Iesco people happy. The Ministry of Water and Power has directed Iesco to remove all the illegally hired officers and start the hiring process afresh to ensure transparency. The cases of officers involved in illegal hiring were sent to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

On August 9, 2016 the Iesco refused to extend the contracts of the 87 illegally appointed officers, a copy of the order is available with The News. These controversial appointments in the Iesco made headlines and were challenged in the Islamabad High Court as well hence brought embarrassment to the government and Ministry of Water and Power.

After leaving with no other option but to take action, the MoW&P conveyed in black and white to the Iesco in February this year saying: “The whole recruitment process made by Iesco be quashed in view of the glaring irregularities committed by the hiring agency as pointed out in the inquiry report and as earlier recommended by the Ministry. The services of all selected candidates be dispensed with immediately before completion of the probation period of six months. The BoD Iesco is accordingly advised to supervise and undertake the recruitment process afresh strictly in accordance with the rules and policy ensuring transparency”.