Sir: It is encouraging to know that the interior minister has annulled the dubious recruitment process in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), an act that has been widely welcomed by the general public. Political appointments were made for key positions in government departments, especially in the sensitive security agencies, during the previous government. Reinstatements were especially made in the intelligence bureau, making it vulnerable to becoming biased and based on nepotism and favouritism. To the extent of scoring political mileage, the act of reinstating hundreds of officials after a gap of 10 to 15 years can be justifiable but the fact that the previous regime would buy the professional services of those individuals at the cost of government secrets, resources and intelligence gadgets under their use is certainly tantamount to compromising the security of the country.
Maybe they were not initially appointed for politics’ sake but their reinstatement has won the previous government their political affiliation rather than their allegiance and loyalty to the state. Rehman Malik is one such example. The Intelligence Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other sensitive departments should be immediately purged of political moles forthwith if the government is sincere in its resolve to purge the country of terrorism. The Zardari-led government had, reportedly, tried to infiltrate its ‘members’ into the most sensitive institutions but the bid was resisted by ‘concerned’ quarters. However, constitutionally, no individual is empowered to commit such an insubordination under any circumstances. The prime minister and his team need to take a look back and annul all such appointments so as to start things anew.
HYDER KAMAL
Peshawar