LAHORE: The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) promoted an employee from grade 14 to BS-17 despite questions raised by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) over his higher qualification and the manner it wasacquired during government service, revealed documents available with Dawn.
Rana Muhammad Ikram, currently serving as EXEN Gulgasht and Deputy Director Disposal North Division, had sought an NOC in December 2013 to pursue B.Te ch (Honours) Civil without availing studyleave.In his application, Mr Ikram stated that he would attend evening classes from 4pm to 8pm at Sir Syed College of Technology on Bahawalpur Road, Multan. Wasa issued the NOC on Dec 28, 2013.
However, records subsequently associated with his qualification identify UK College of Technology, Bahawalpur, raising ques-tions over whether the change of institution was formally brought to the department’s notice and whether his attendance and academic record were independently verified.
The issue became more significant when S&GAD, in a Nov 1, 2019 communication, sought clarification regarding employees acquiring higher qualifications while in service. The department specifically raised questions about whether study leave or other admissible leave had been obtained, whether transcripts and attendance records had been submitted, and whether the relevant campus was duly recognised and operating within its lawful territorial jurisdiction.
Despite these questions, a departmental promotion committee (DPC) had considered Mr Ikram for promotion from sub-engineer (BS-14) to assistant director (Engineering BS-17) on June 24, 2019. The committee recommended his promotion subject to clarification regarding service and experience requirements.
However, the Wasa MD issued his promotion order on Jan 18, 2020, making the promotion effective from the date of the DPC meeting.
The available 2016 MDA service regulations provide a promotion route from sub-engineer to BS-17, subject to prescribed qualifications and conditions.
The Wasa officials did not verify his qualification, attendance, institutional affiliation and eligibility before granting him a higher-grade post.
Multan Wasa Managing Director Faisal Shoukat was not available for comments despite repeated attempts.