Peshawar– The Civil Secretariat Peshawar has reported an ongoing issue regarding the deployment of officers on deputation within various departments. Currently, 30 officers are working on deputation across several departments, with two more recently added to this list. Meanwhile, Provincial Management Service (PMS) officers have been made Officers on Special Duty (OSDs).
Despite clear communication from the PMS Officers Association regarding the legal and moral implications of such deputations, the concerned authorities continue to overlook the rights of civil servants who have been inducted, trained, and promoted for these positions. The Association has expressed that deputationists are often beholden to those who place them, compromising the integrity of their service.
The Association highlights that every department has deputationists who, while on the government payroll, serve the interests of influential individuals rather than adhering strictly to legal directives. This undermines the principles of career progression and service structure, which the Association staunchly supports.
Deputation, they argue, should not be a reward for favored individuals but should address genuine shortages of human resources and meet legal requirements. The Peshawar High Court’s ruling in WP No.1384-A emphasized that borrowing departments must first demonstrate an exigency and match qualifications, expertise, and experience with the needs of the post. Despite this, many trained and promoted officers await their postings while preferred officers are placed in violation of established rules and merit.
The PMS Officers Association is calling on the government to revert and repatriate deputationists to their parent departments. The Association warns that failure to address these grievances will result in agitation and demands for accountability.