Moalims

KARACHI: Sindh Text Book Board (STBB), Jamshoro, chairperson Syed Zakir Ali has been removed and a non-cadre officer, Qadir Bux Rind, has been given the charge of the chairperson by the Sindh chief secretary, Muhammad Siddique Memon.

Rind is facing investigations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Anti-Corruption Establishment. An inquiry is also going on against him for releasing millions of rupees against the rules to a private printing press. He is also under investigation for corruption in many other cases when he was secretary of STBB. Rind has taken protective bail in these cases.

Senior minister for education, Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, had, on January 15, written a letter to the Sindh chief secretary advising against Rind’s appointment.

Rind, a lecturer of physics, joined STBB in 2003 and was then promoted, after which, he has served as the secretary of the board and now has the additional duties of chairperson. “He was removed from the post on July 3 while I was appointed as the new chairman on cadre,” said Ali, while talking to The Express Tribune. He also said that the post is not for an officer of grade 19.

The education minister’s letter reads that during the year 2010-11, the NAB authorities had lodged a case against Rind due to advance payment made to the paper mill owners in Lahore. The same case is under investigation with NAB.

Education secretary Fazlullah Pechuho also said that the appointment of Rind has been done without informing him and Khuhro. “We will take all necessary actions in this case,” said Pechuho, adding that he is out of the city and will look into the matter as soon as he returns.

Ali is a grade-20 officer while Rind is of grade 19.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2016.