Posting of minister’s sister in Nacta draws flak

Published June 2, 2019
Appointment of a Lahore College for Women University’s assistant professor, who happens to be the sister of Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul, in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) has generated a debate about meritocracy of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government. — INP/File
Appointment of a Lahore College for Women University’s assistant professor, who happens to be the sister of Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul, in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) has generated a debate about meritocracy of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government. — INP/File

LAHORE: Appointment of a Lahore College for Women University’s assistant professor, who happens to be the sister of Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul, in the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) has generated a debate about meritocracy of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government.

Shabnam Gul, a BPS-18, was serving as assistant professor in the International Relations Department of the Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) and was appointed as director (BPS-19) in Nacta, Islamabad, on deputation for three years.

According to a notification of Nacta, “The services of Ms Shabnam Gul, Assistant Professor, Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) are required for her posting against an available vacant post of Director (BS-19) in NACTA in Islamabad on a deputation basis”.

Responding to criticism in the mainstream as well as social media, Federal Information and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry defended the appointment. In a tweet, he said Ms Gul held a PhD in terrorism and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and she was selected for the Nacta post after an interview.

However, the media reports claimed that Ms Gul had yet to complete her PhD.

LCWU Vice Chancellor Dr Farkhanda Manzoor confirmed to Dawn that Nacta had requisitioned that the services of Ms Gul be placed at its disposal.

BAN: The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) on Saturday imposed a ban on transfers and postings of professors and lecturers of public colleges.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...