Evacuee Trust Property Board: Secretary Farid Iqbal is ‘kind’ to APS after Chowkidar, causing loss to the treasury
Secretary Farid Iqbal misused his powers, issued 2-year ex-Pakistan leave with pay to Grade 17 Sagheer Ahmed, illegal actions created resentment among employees, citizens demand another inquiry
Lahore: (Bureau Chief/Syed Zaheer Naqvi) After the appointment of a watchman as a junior clerk in the Evacuee Trust Property Board, a scandal of illegal gifts being showered on the Assistant Personal Secretary has also come to light.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has sought relevant records and important details including receipt of applications, lists of eligible and reserve candidates, appointment approval, etc. regarding the recruitment of the Chowkidar of the Evacuee Trust Property Board as a junior clerk. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Muhammad Bakhsh Sangi is the inquiry officer of this matter. The personal file of the recruit Shahid Mahmood has also been sought. It should be remembered that the Chowkidar of the Evacuee Trust Property Board was appointed as an LDC and was also given dues. Similarly, Secretary Board Farid Iqbal, while waving his hand, issued two years of ex-Pakistan leave with salary to Assistant Private Secretary Grade 17.
The Secretary Board, using the powers of the Chairman, violated the law, which necessitated an inquiry by the Federal Secretary and the Chairman.
The Secretary Board of Evacuee Trust Properties, who was appointed on a two-year contract by the Federal Ministry of Religious Affairs, exercised the powers of the Chairman contrary to the rules and regulations and issued a two-year ex-Pakistan leave to the Chairman’s Assistant Private Secretary, Saghir Ahmed, Grade 17, while granting leave to go outside the country is only part of the powers of the Chairman of Evacuee Trust Properties.
A few months ago, Federal Secretary Religious Affairs Dr. Atta-ur-Rehman had the additional charge of Chairman Evacuee Trust Properties. During this time, Saghir Ahmed, Assistant Private Secretary of the Chairman’s Islamabad ET Complex, was issued a 730-day ex-Pakistan leave with the connivance of Secretary Board Farid Iqbal.
Secretary Farid Iqbal issued diary number 2812 dated April 30 on behalf of the Admin Section, according to which Assistant Personal Secretary Saghir Ahmed was allowed to leave the country with four months’ salary and half salary for 20 months.
The alleged illegal actions of Secretary Farid Iqbal have spread resentment among employees. Employees and citizens have demanded action and an inquiry against Secretary Farid Iqbal for acting against the law.
File photo of Secretary Evacuee Trust Property Board Farid Iqbal.
