JI favourite holding two key positions in KP

PESHAWAR: An irrigation department official liked by the Jamaat-e-Islami is holding two key positions as secretary irrigation and chief executive officer of the generously funded Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP).
Mohammad Naeem, an engineer by profession, had taken leave from the irrigation department where he had been serving as the head of the Small Dams project to become the chief executive officer of the WSSP. After some months, he was made secretary irrigation department and at the same time allowed to continue heading the WSSP. The WSSP has been given funds amounting to Rs12 billion to fix the many problems being faced in keeping Peshawar clean and green and supplying its inhabitants safe drinking water.
Naeem’s two offices are located at two ends of Peshawar and it cannot be easy for him to devote time to both his positions. As this correspondent found out, it was difficult to talk to him even after trying to do so for three days.
Naeem also headed another important project of the Local Government Department known as the MSP. According to sources, he relinquished this charge recently after completion of the recruitment process of more than 300 personnel there.
When approached for comments, Senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Inayatullah Khan said Mohammad Naeem was the architect of WSSP and they wanted him to remain there for some time. “It was hardly three months ago that the WSSP become functional. Let it mature under his guidance,” the minister remarked.
He said Mohammad Naeem was not appointed by him as secretary irrigation. He said Naeem has good reputation of an upright and honest person that was the reason he was given the charge of the position.
Inayatullah, who belongs to Jamaat-i-Islami, however contested the argument that Naeem has failed to give time to his two jobs. “He daily goes to both of his offices and gives appropriate time to his work,” the minister maintained.
He said ideally WSSP should have an officer not engaged anywhere else. “Once the WSSP has matured we would appoint the full-time CEO for the company,” Inayatullah added.