Departmental action against alleged irregularities and corruption in government departments has begun in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the provincial Housing Authority issuing directives to terminate all work-charge employees amid complaints of suspected ghost appointments and questionable salary payments.
According to sources, complaints had repeatedly emerged that more than Rs100 million was allegedly being disbursed every month in salaries in the name of bogus or ghost work-charge employees at the KP Housing Authority. Questions were also raised over the legality of their recruitment, appointments and salary payments.
Sources said a review of the matter highlighted the alleged absence of authentic documentary records concerning the recruitment of work-charge employees, their appointment letters and approval from the competent authority. The administration and finance sections of the authority were reportedly unable to produce satisfactory documentation to justify the appointments.
Taking notice of the matter, Housing Adviser to the Advisory Council Asif Rafiq Afridi and newly appointed Housing Secretary Tahir Orakzai issued directives to terminate all work-charge employees, sources said. A comprehensive inquiry has also been ordered to investigate the alleged irregularities and identify those responsible.
The inquiry will examine the procedure followed for recruitment, the authorities that approved the appointments, the records used to process salary payments and whether the expenditure from the public exchequer complied with applicable rules and regulations.
The findings are expected to establish the extent of any financial irregularities and determine whether officials violated recruitment or financial procedures. Further action against those responsible may follow if wrongdoing is established.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of government departments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the context of governor’s rule and emergency measures. The action at the Housing Authority is being viewed as an effort to strengthen administrative discipline, improve transparency and safeguard public resources.
