KARACHI, Sept 19: A number of sub-engineers belonging to the now defunct KDA have approached the city government authorities and 5-Corps against the recent redesignation of 111 sub-engineers of the KDA as assistant executive engineers by the city Nazim, despite the fact that this move had earlier been opposed by all concerned, including the Pakistan Engineering Council and governing body of the KDA.

According to a letter issued on 29-8-2002, 111 posts of B-Tech/Hons qualified sub-engineers in BPS17, belonging to the defunct KDA (now the city district government) have been redesignated as assistant executive engineers (BPS-17) with immediate effect.

However, a number of sub-engineers who have not been promoted, as well as some engineers, have expressed concern over the move initiated by the city government, and termed it illegal, as the post of AEE is to be filled on a seniority cum fitness basis only. They have highlighted the reply sent by the secretary KDA Wing in April this year to the lawyer of diploma holders who had sent legal notice to the city government demanding this redesignation in light of the supreme court decision.

This reply also mentions that many of the degrees have been acquired improperly, as full time study from 9am to 3pm is required for a period of two to four years, but the majority of these sub-engineers were regular employees during that period with continuous attendance, and did not possess leave permission from their respective departments.

According to the reply by the secretary KDA Wing, the judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has been passed in a particular case of one person — Mr Fida Hussain — for considering his promotion, the principal of which cannot be applied for deciding another issue.—PPI