Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), has notified the retirement of Director General (DG) Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).

In a notification available with Daily Times, the CADD notified the retirement of DG, FDE Shahnaz Riaz. “On attaining the age of superannuation Dr Shahnaz Riaz shall stand retired from government services with effect from October 10, 2016. Her date of birth is December 18, 1956”, reads the notification.

Shahnaz was reinstated on the post thrice after winning the legal battle. She was appointed as Director (BPS-19) in 2004 by Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and promoted as DG in 2007. Whereas she has been removed and restored from the position many times since her appointment. Earlier, she also has served as education officer in the educational ministry.

She has been appointed as her current position (DG) on the court’s orders and before court orders she was removed by the CADD. The post has been become musical chair as since 2007 over 12 DGs appointed on the position. Since last many years as several DGs were appointed and relieved at short intervals, some for barely a few days or weeks.

During the hearing of a contempt plea on March 30 the Supreme Court directed the federal government to remove the newly-appointed head of the FDE, Ali Ahmad Kharal, and cancel Shehnaz’s transfer orders. She was transferred from the post of Director General of FDE to the National Institute of Science and Technical Education (NISTE).

Earlier in February, the apex court had also taken strong exception to the appointment of Moinuddin Ahmed Wani, a grade-19 officer, against a grade-20 post of DG ordering his removal. Wani was the brother of Prime Minister’s Press Secretary on Media Coordination Mohiuddin Wani. His appointment was made under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act 1973 as a replacement of the successor Shahnaz.

According to the rules of recruitment, appointment for the post of DG should be made through promotion for which persons such as either a ‘Director (BPS-19)’ or ‘Principal of a Degree College (BPS-19)’ with minimum of 17 years teaching/administrative experience shall be eligible for the promotion to the post of DG FDE (BPS-20).

The officials in the CADD and FDE were of the view that if the government wants to end this crisis and see the federal government educational institutions progress academically to impart quality education to the poor class of society, then appointment for the post of DG should be made as in compliance with law.

An official in the CADD wishing anonymity said that the notification was made in the result of rifts between Shahnaz and CADD senior officials including Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

When contacted to seek his version, Chaudhry expressed ignorance over the issued notification. “The notification may be issued by establishment division instead CADD”, he claimed.