IT has been seven years since an influential former Sindh secretary of education put 648 teaching and non-teaching staff of Dadu district under suspension in 2014. This suspension order was politically biased. First of all, the order was enforced without any show cause notice to the employees. Second, since the order was issued, none of the employees were summoned as part of the investigation.

They still don’t know the causes of suspension. Surprisingly, many influential individuals got their names out of the said suspension list by using back channels. Those who are unable to pay huge amounts to officials or have no political affiliations continue to find their names in the suspension list.

It is sad to say that under the guise of this suspension order, promotions and retirements of most of the senior teachers were barred. My father is one of the victims whose promotions have been long due and yet he has to suffer for the rest of his life as his retirement age is approaching fast.

Only God knows the actual motive behind the said suspension order.

To prevent any further and unnecessary delays, I urge the chief justice of Pakistan to take strict notice of the matter and reinstate the services of the victims so that they may get their due promotions and retirement benefits.

Name withheld on request

Dadu

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2021