A B Khan
Balochistan is marred by several problems and among them most prominent ones are bad governance and corruption. One of major issues which involve both bad governance and corruption is that of ghost employees.
Last year, Government of Balochistan identified thousands of ghost schools, teachers and students, and action was taken against them by then Education Minister and then Chief Minister, Dr. Abdul Malik, which is one of the biggest achievements of the National Party and its Coalition Government.
Recently, a case of ghost employees has been unearthed in Kohlu District by the newly transferred Assistant Commissioner Kohlu, Mr. Inam-Ul-Haq.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) Kohlu has written letter to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohlu explaining in detail the issue of ghost employees in Levies force in Kohlu.
According to the Assistant Commissioner Kohlu, ground presence of levies force is less than the actual figure and even assuming the charge he has not been provided with the complete list of levies force employees.
In the official matters of levies force, AC and Tehsildar are hopeless whereas these ghost Levies forces employees are backed allegedly by some highly influential people who receive some portion of their salaries in order to give them an exemption from the duty.
Keeping in view the volatile law and order situation of Kohlu, these ghost employees can be a potential security threat as they have been issued hundreds of weapons along with thousands of rounds.
Kohlu is the only district in Balochistan where the salary payment system of Levies force is not computerized.
It also must be noted that Kohlu is the only district in Balochistan where the salary payment system of Levies force is not computerized. It’s retained in manual form most likely to cover the corruption which is taking place through ghost employees.
This issue may appear new to some, but two years back the same issue was highlighted in the newspapers, like always the issue was dumped into the cold storage.
An inquiry commission was made to probe into the matter, but neither the inquiry commission report surfaced nor any one was made accountable. It is the reason that the current AC Kohlu has also expressed concern in his letter that, “most of the inquiries into the matter are proved just a clearance chit to the people responsible”.
Sources from Kohlu town allege that DC Kohlu is also involved in this matter. This allegation can be proved or refuted only after an impartial inquiry into the matter.
He may know that standing against the odds and highlighting such issues, where highly influential people are involved, can create problems for him and can get him a transfer but he still dare to stand and prove his sincerity.
Sources from Kohlu town allege that DC Kohlu is also involved in this matter. This allegation can be proved or refuted only after an impartial inquiry into the matter.
It is now the responsibility of the Minister concerned, Sarfraz Bugti and the CM, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, to inquire the matter and restore the faith of the people of Kohlu on the Levies force.
Like the former CM, the Current CM has to prove his management by identifying and rectifying the odds and making accountability an integral part of his governance.
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