PHC seeks AG’s assistance in political recruitment case

Chief minister’s district

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has sought the assistance of the Advocate General (AG) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for deciding the fate of Class-VI employees politically appointed in the home district of the chief minister.

A division bench comprising Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan and Justice Qalandar Ali Khan sought legal assistance about the fate of Class-VI employees after receiving an inquiry report of Education Department stating that majority of the employees were appointed on political basis. The report stated that the 25 percent quota fixed for employees’ sons was also filled through political appointments.

The secretary education conducted the inquiry on the court’s order in a writ petition filed by Nisar Khan, a resident of Nowshera who had applied for a Class-VI post in the Education Department on the quota reserved for employees’ sons.

In the inquiry report, it was revealed that 96 people were appointed as Class-VI employees in Nowshera, the home district of the KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and the quota of the retired employees’ sons was totally ignored.

During the hearing, Justice Qalandar Ali Khan wondered and made the observation as to how all this could happen in the rule of the PTI-led provincial government.

When the court asked if any action was taken against the officials concerned involved in making the political appointments, the litigation officer, Inayatullah, said the Education Department after an inquiry recommended action against Robina Qureahi, the district education officer and other officials. However, he said that after inquiry the court will decide the fate of the employees appointed politically.

The court asked Law Officer Rab Nawaz and the litigation officer to assist the court in the case at the next hearing.