LARKANA, Feb 7: The central authorities of Wapda have demoted 46 sub-engineers of BPS-16 and BPS-11 to the post of meter reader (BPS-5).

The technical cadres of some 11 sub-engineers (civil) have also been changed to commercial assistant (BPS-11) through an earlier order by Wapda authorities.

The orders were issued reportedly on the instructions of Wapda chairman by Mohammed Akhtar Chaudhri, director general (S&GA) Wapda through a letter dated 28-1-2002.

Almost all the 46 demoted sub-engineers and 11 cadre-changed sub-engineers are the holders of Sindh province’s domicile.

The order said, “the surplus engineers (BPS-11) of several formations of the Water wing are hereby absorbed by change of cadre as meter readers (BPS-5) and their services placed at the disposal of distribution companies”.

Majority of the demoted engineers were placed at the disposal of Hyderabad Electric Supply Company while some of them were ordered to join in Quetta and Peshawar, sources said.

Those affected by the Wapda authorities’ decision include Altaf Hussain, Khalid Mehmood, Jamal Abbas, Muhktar Hussain, Mohammad Naeem, Tarique Mehmood, Bashir Ahmed, Javed Iqbal, Ali Raza, M. Irshad, Khawand Dino, Khadim Hussain, Lakhmir Chand, Abdul Aziz Jamali, Zulfiqar Ali, Waqar Ahmed, Sohail Ahmed Siddiqi, Manzoor Baqar, Mohammad Panjal, Riazuddin, Noor Ahmed, Faizuddin, Ali Gohar Memon, Abid Ali Mangi, Khalil Ahmed Memon, Qamaruddin Indhar and others.

Wapda head office would solely be responsible for relieving these employees in 10 days after completing formalities.

If the employees failed to join their new place of posting in the stipulated time, they would face action in the light of the rules.

The victims have reportedly met lawyers in Larkana to file a constitutional petition in Sindh High Court, Larkana circuit bench, against their demotions.

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