SUKKUR: The Ghotki chief municipal officer (CMO) on Thursday announced sacking of 368 employees after declaring their recruitment ‘bogus’. The sacked workers held a protest at the municipality’s building and termed the move politically motivated.

CMO Syed Nadir Ali Shah Amroti held a press conference to explain factual position regarding the dismissals. He said a citizen had approached the Sindh High Court with plea against the recruitment made in 2012-13.

Mr Amroti said neither the posts, for which these 368 people were recruited, existed nor were the funds for their salaries allocated. Even the prescribed procedure was not followed for their appointment, he added.

He recalled that in 2016, the then chairman of the municipality, Syed Asghar Ali Shah, and a number of its members had objected to the recruitment and then a resolution against the bogus appointments was unanimously passed in the house.

Mr Amroti said in the light of the high court’s directives, he had to finally sack these employees. He said a compliance report would be submitted in court.

He also announced that the anti-corruption department would be approached to ensure recovery of the salaries drawn by these workers.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2019