KARACHI: In what is seen to be a clear violation of the Supreme Court, several out of turn-promoted officers of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) are still holding their offices. Although, the federal and provincial governments have already initiated the process to either demote the out-of-turn promoted officers or send them back to their parent departments in line with an apex court judgment. The FIA appears to be unmoved.
An investigation conducted by the Daily Times reveals that several FIA officers, whose actual ranks range from assistant sub-inspector to inspector, are not only holding the posts of assistant directors and deputy directors but are also in queue for further promotions. So much so, a special post of deputy assistant director has been created to accommodate a favorite.
These officers include, deputy director cyber crime wing Islamabad, Nasarullah Gondal, assistant deputy director cyber crime wing Karachi, Shahid Saeed, Inspector FIA State Bank Circle Karachi, Shahrayar Khan , Inspector FIA immigration Karachi, Nasullah Khan, and others.
According to sources , Nasarullah Gondal, who had joined traffic police as a constable, and later promoted to the post of ASI in 1991,was transferred to the FIA in 2006 as an inspector despite the fact his original rank at that time was sub-inspector.
He is among 187 police officials who have got more than one out of turn promotion and their names were presented before the Supreme Court earlier this year by additional IG, Mohammad Tahir. Interestingly, Gondal, who had been promoted to the post of ASI in October 1991, was confirmed on the same day despite the fact the confirmation requires at least three years after the promotion.
He had got another one-step promotion at the time of transfer to the FIA, and was posted as an assistant director. A notification to appoint Gondal as deputy director cyber crime circle Karachi was issued last month but was withdrawn within 24 hours due to unspecified reasons.
Similarly, Inspector Shaharyar who had been original appointed as a manager at NADRA was sent to FIA on deputation in 2010 because of his reported connection with the then interior minister, Rehman Malik. He was soon promoted as an inspector and is currently serving in FIA’s State bank Circle Karachi.
Shahid Saeed, another beneficiary of a fractious favouritism, has recently been transferred to FIA from Customs, and directly appointed as an assistant director in Grade 17, which was totally against services rules and regulations.
The authorities, however, soon realised their mistake, and a new notification was issued to appoint him as deputy assistant director without mentioning his grade — a special post apparently created for him.
Inspector Nasarullah Khan, sources insisted, is originally an ASI in Sindh police but enjoying the current post with the blessing of the out of turn promotion policy. He was sent to FIA on deputation in 2014 and is currently serving as a shift in charge in FIA immigration on deputation at Jinnah International Airport.