ISLAMABAD, June 4: As many as 27 women were recruited in the establishment division, its attached departments, subordinate offices and autonomous bodies during the last four years, the National Assembly was told on Friday.

In a written reply to a question asked by Yasmeen Rehman, the establishment division provided the list of occupational groups it controlled and the number of women recruited in the division during the last four years.

Establishment division controls Secretariat Group (SG), Police Services of Pakistan (PSP), District Management Group (DMG) and Office Management Group (OMG). The remaining eight occupational groups are controlled by other miniseries and divisions.

Replying to the question, the establishment division stated that there was no quota in the DMG and PSP, and all recruitments were made on merit. During the last four years, three women have been inducted in BPS-17 - two in 2001 and one in 2000 - in the DMG on open merit.

In OMG, no section officer was appointed against direct recruitment quota during the last three years, as the direct recruitment in OMG was discontinued with effect from 23-10-2000 on the orders of chief executive. However, five women were recruited during 2000 as section officers in OMG on open merit basis.

In all, eight women were recruited in the occupational groups controlled by the establishment division during the last four years. Likewise, 19 women were recruited during the same period in the division, its attached departments, sub- ordinate offices and autonomous bodies.

Responding to another question asked by Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana, the establishment division clarified that there was no new promotion policy and the policy of 1985 was still in vogue.