ISLAMABAD, July 2: Deputy Director of the Model Colleges of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), Rao Zulfiqar Ali, has been suspended for concealing teachers ACRs (annual confidential reports), hampering their time scale promotions in a basic pay scale of 19, 20 and 21.

Up to 10 teachers’ promotions were affected because of this error. The formal charge against the officer is being prepared; however, the inquiry officer could not be appointed on Monday, various sources indicated.

Last month over 1,000 teachers were promoted to different pay scales. However, some teachers, including the principal of Islamabad College for Girls, could not be promoted because Mr. Ali failed to send the annual confidential reports (ACRs), as well as service structure, leading to their disqualification from the promotion process.

Dawn also learned that the principal, Shaista Pirzada, who had obtained a court order - regarding service duration in her favor - was also disqualified from the promotion, as Mr Ali did not bother to submit her ACR, the sources said.

An officer of the FDE, who has requested not to be named, said, “It was not a mistake that Principal of ICG, Shaista Pirzada, was not promoted, and that Rao Zulfiqar Ali was suspended.

Shaista Pirzada has been DG FDE for a brief period, so the ministry of Capital Administration and Development (CAD) had to take notice.”

Joint Secretary CADD (Admin) Noor Zaman sought an explanation from the Deputy Director Model Colleges but Ali replied that particulars were missing from the files of those persons.

“The joint secretary checked the personal files himself and found that particulars were present in the files. Thus, he immediately suspended Rao Zulfiqar,” the officer said.

Another officer said: “There are a lot of complaints regarding the promotion list as so many senior teachers have been placed as juniors due to the blunders of officers at the FDE and CADD”.

Joint Secretary Admin Noor Zaman confirmed to Dawn that he had suspended Deputy Director Rao Zulfiqar Ali because he was found guilty of concealing the teachers particulars. “The charge sheet is being prepared, and an inquiry officer will be appointed on Tuesday. He has been immediately suspended in order to assure that he will not make changes to relevant files,” he said.

Mr Ali said: “I have nothing to do with the files and record because all the data was shifted to CADD through the scrutinizing committee, and that influential female teacher put all the blame on me. It will be proved that I am innocent”.

Joint Secretary CADD, Rafique Tahir said that he only just received the file on Monday, July 2, and therefore has no idea about the case. “I just know that the Deputy Director FDE has been suspended and I will look into it on Tuesday,” he said.