Cabinet denies extension to MSS in PBS, orders fresh hiring

ISLAMABAD: Following opposition by the Establishment Division for not granting extension to MP scale officers, the federal cabinet has rejected a summary to grant extension of four years to Sarwar Gondal as Member Support Services in Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

The cabinet has now directed the Planning Ministry and authorities concerned to initiate a fresh recruitment process.

When contacted, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry confirmed that the cabinet had rejected the summary for granting extension to the tenure of Sarwar Gondal as Member Support Services in the PBS.

“The cabinet has ordered a fresh recruitment process” he added. The post of Chief Statistician in the PBS fell vacant four years ago and the Planning Ministry had moved a summary in this regard that was lying with the PM.

Earlier, some objections raised by some relevant ministries had been removed by the Planning Ministry and it was hoped that the decision to this effect would be made soon. Now more posts fell vacant in the PBS after one week so this neglected outfit requires the attention of the chief executive of the country. According to the summary tabled before the federal cabinet, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is governed under the General Statistics (Re-organization) Act 2011.

Section-18 of the Act empowers the federal government for appointment and re-appointment of its functional members on such terms and conditions as determined by the federal government.

The summary further states that on July 13, 2017, Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal was appointed Member Support Services) in MP-II Scale for the period of four (04) years with the approval of the cabinet. The contract period of Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal shall expire on July 12, 2021. Owing to satisfactory performance of the incumbent and exigency of the vital tasks to be performed, his reappointment merits consideration.

The four (04) years Performance Evaluation Report is placed here along with the summary. The services of the incumbent are required for re-appointment as he is associated with forthcoming Population and Housing Census 2021-22, Decision Support System Dash Board, Integrated Agriculture Census and Smart Lockdown Policy implemented by PBS. Accordingly, the case was moved for soliciting comments from the Establishment Division; wherein it is highlighted that since the incumbent was appointed under MP Scale policy, which caters to ‘extension’ and not for 'reappointment’ hence, the case cannot be processed accordingly.

It is understood that since the governing Act of the Authority specifies the term reappointment and not extension and as a general principle of law, the Act shall prevail over policy, hence, the case of Mr. Muhammad Sarwar Gondal is ought to be moved for consideration for his reappointment in accordance with Section 18(3) of the prevalent Act of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics,

In the light of clarification of Establishment Division and in accordance with the General Statistics (Re-Organization) Act 2011, it is deemed appropriate that the terms and conditions of employment of incumbent Mr Muhammad Sarwar Gondal may be benchmarked to MP-11 Scale at maximum stage tor his reappointment as Member (Support Services) for a period of four years w.e.f. July 13, 2021. The cabinet did not agree to this proposal and the Planning Ministry was directed to initiate the process of recruitment.