PESHAWAR
A caretaker Managing Director (MD) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation (KPEF) during his look after charge appointed around 100 persons without obtaining permission from selection committee, advertisement, shortlisting, and interviews, Lead Pakistan has learnt.
Zahid Hussain, who was serving as Director KPEF Academy, was assigned the look after charge of MD KPEF when Imad Ali (PMS-20) departed for performing Hajj on June 22, 2022 for almost 43 days.
As per initial inquiry initiated by Higher Education Department (HED), parent department of KPEF, “ Mr Zahid Hussain has appointed almost 100 persons on contract basis in the foundation on non-sanctioned position and without fulfilling codal formalities, advertisement, short-listing, interviews or any selection committee meeting during leave period of regular Managing Director.”
After assuming charge as MD KPEF Zahid Hussain also made attempts to bypass Secretary HED for obtaining the approval of the Board of Director for regularization of the aforementioned 100 persons in the foundation.
“Reportedly these positions have been sold on Rs5.0 to 10 lac each. Moreover, few appointees are blood relatives of the higher authorities,” the inquiry report noted.
According to KPEF Financial Rules, the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) is the permanent MD.
However, surprisingly, Zahid Hussain, during the leave period of regular MD KPEF, declared himself as drawing and disbursing officer.
He was also accused of pressurizing the foundation designated banks for declaring him as DDO and made several unlawful transactions.
As per inquiry report, “After declaring himself as DDO in various banks, he has drawn Rs.1.6 million from his CP Fund on the very next date despite the fact that his previous CP fund amount was still outstanding.”
In addition, during the same period of time, he withdrew millions of rupees from the Chinese Language centre Peshawar’s account on a cash basis and failed to furnish any appropriate record of its utilization.
A senior official in the HED department said on the condition of anonymity confirmed that HED being a parent department has launched a departmental inquiry into alleged irregularities and illegally recruiting personnel in the KPEF.
He said that as per the rules all administrative and management powers of the foundation vest in the board of directors but in the above mentioned case rules have been blatantly violated.
He said that heavy financial loss has been inflicted to the foundation.
When contacted, Mr Zahid Hussain said that appointments made during his tenure were not against the law, adding that certain elements have started propaganda to malign his office.
He said that the foundation advertised the vacancies and all procedures for the induction were followed as per the rules and regulations.
It is pertinent to mention here that KPEF was established as a corporate body in 1992 under an Act of Provincial Assembly.
The foundation has been mandated to promote and develop education in the private sector through financial measures.
