MPs blamed for trying to influence appointments

ISLAMABAD (PAN): The Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Services Commission chief on Sunday blamed parliamentarians for trying to influence high-level appointments.

Deposing before senators, Dr. Mushahid Hussain said the independent panel, which was constituted in 2003, defied all such pressures to uphold merit in the recruitment process.

Answering parliamentarians’ queries regarding institutional reforms, he claimed the commission had achievements to its credit. However, he added, the independent body continued to face challenges.

One of the problems is pressure from MPs to get the people of their choice appointed to important positions, according to Mushahid, who stopped short of naming anyone.

“But I would never to bow inordinate demands from senators and ministers,” he vowed, insisting members of the commission had been doing their bit to do justice to their jobs.

Senator Mohammad Asif Azimi asked the commission to make sure that all appointees bore sound moral character in addition to professional competence.

Mushahid responded the panel received important information from the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, the Attorney General Office and the National Directorate of Security regarding candidates before their appointments.

He revealed that 12,000 applications had been received this year for 3,000 vacancies in government departments across the country. He explained given the small number of posts, the qualifications bar had to be raised. 

A public representative from northern Balkh province, Humaira Niamati, alleged the commission had been constituted on the basis of expediency and called for its dissolution. 

Addressing Mushahid, she remarked: “You are driven by expedience and so is your panel, where relatives of high-level people like you are flourishing.”

But the commission’s head poured scorn on the allegations, insisting the body had been created to bring necessary reforms to government departments.

In the end, Mohammad Alam Ezidyar, the 1^st deputy chairman, announced Senate’s support for the commission. But he said the reform process was problematic and the authorities should not lose sight of ground realities.

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