ISLAMABAD: The management of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) has issued a circular warning its officers to not use contacts for securing important posts and has warned that if caught doing so, details of officers using contacts will be included in their files and their services will be terminated.

The circular which is available with Dawn says that a large number of more than 100 recently appointed employees at Drap have been using important contacts to influence service matters such as postings and transfers via political and non-political means.

It reminds employees that doing so is in violation of the Government Service Rules and Efficiency and Discipline Rules.

“All the newly appointed officers are therefore advised, in their own interest, to scrupulously observe the provisions contained in the Government Servants Conduct 1964.

The newly appointed officers are already paid more than BPS 17 officers

“In future, if any officer attempts to bring influence in respect of posting transfer, a note to this effect will be placed in his personal file. This may also result in termination of his service during his period of probation,” the circular reads.

A Drap official told Dawn that though the new 100 employees, most of whom were hired on the posts of assistant directors, were being paid 1.8 times the salaries of BPS 17 officers, a large number of them were still trying to secure posts which have more financial benefits associated with them.

“The more financially beneficial posts involve the registration of medicines and the increasing of prices,” he explained.

Talking to Dawn, Drap Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohammad Aslam said the circular was issued in order to ensure merit, transparency and discipline in Drap and that he hoped officers will no longer use contacts in order to secure more lucrative seats.

He explained that the new appointments were Drap employees and not civil servants which was why they were paid more.

“Drap employees are public servants but they may not get some benefits, including federal government plots. There are 13 divisions in Drap and there are certain requirements for being appointed in eight of them.

“After they were appointed, the new recruits wanted to get into the divisions of their choice, but they have now been told that this will not be tolerated,” he added.

“I will ensure that appointments are made according to merit and that the same principal will also be used for officers who have been working at Drap for some time,” he said.

Dr Aslam said 192 posts were advertised last year and that over 150 officers were appointed.

He said the process of making appointments on the remaining posts will be completed soon.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2016