he federal government, which has been taking various steps to improve the public sector schools in Islamabad, recently surprised educationists when it appointed a junior officer of Pakistan Customs Service to look after the affairs of 422 educational institutions in the federal capital.

Moinuddin Ahmed Wani, a grade 19 officer, is the brother of Prime Minister`s Press Secretary on Media Coordination Mohiuddin Wani.

He replaced Dr Shahnaz Riaz, who was transferred to the National Institute of Science and Technology as the deputy director general. The FDE director general is a grade 20 post.

`With the approval of the competent authority, Moinuddin Ahmed Wani, presently posted as director (foreign affairs and special assignments) President Secretariat, is transferred and posted as DG FDE under Section 10 of the Civil Servant Act 1973 till the availability of regular incumbent through FPSC with immediate effect until further orders, stated the notification issued by the Establishment Division on October 27.

Interestingly, the FDE-run educational institutions have over 200 teachers in grade 19 and around two dozen in grade 20.

Defending the decision of the government, a government official, however, said the appointment was made as a stopgap arrangement.`The prime minister has taken special initiatives to completely revamp the FDE as an institution. Under the Civil Servant Act 1973, the government has the power to appoint any officer on the post,` he said.

Speaking to Dawn, Secretary CADD Khalid Hanif also defended the decision, saying it was the prerogative of the government to appoint an efficient officer on any key post.