QUETTA: The Balochis­tan government has terminated services of over 400 government school teachers in the province who have been absent from the duty for a long time while National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has started investigation against some senior officials of the education department who are allegedly involved in the appointment of such teachers.

Provincial Secretary Education (Schools) Abdul Saboor Kakar said here on Saturday that a committee was formed to trace school teachers and other employees in the education department who had been absent from the duty for a long time.

The committee conducted a district-wise investigation and found over 400 ghost teachers in different districts, including Quetta.

Majority of ghost teachers, 112, were found in Quetta district, followed by Dera Bugti, 65. Among other districts where ghost teachers were found are Pishin, Qila Abdu­llah, Panjgur and Kharan.

The committee would continue scrutiny of teachers in other districts of the province.

Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and his adviser on education Sardar Raza Mohammad Barech announced recently that action would be taken against ghost schools and ghost teachers.

Meanwhile, sources said that NAB has started investigation against some senior officials of the provincial education department who were allegedly involved in recruitment of ghost teachers.

Initial investigation has revealed that some senior officers of the education department were involved in the business of ghost schools and ghost teachers.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2015

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