It was very susprising to read that how Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf son-in-law Raja Azeem-ul-Haque, has got promotions in the recent past. He has been elevated to Grade-21 from Grade-18 with in four years and now he has been nominated, out of turn, executive director of World Bank in Washington. Thanks to Supreme Court of Pakistan that it has take notice of this issue and have summoned Raja Azeem-ul-Haque.
According to media reports the quick promotions of Raja Azeem-ul-Haque in the last few years has raised many eyebrows. Raja Azeem was working as Grade-18 officer at the Income Tax Group when PPP came in power in 2008. After PPP formed government Raja Azeem left the job and was appointed by the Employees Old-age Benefit Institution (EOBI) in grade-20 about two years ago.
When Raja Perviaz Ashraf became Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Raja Azeem was promoted to Grade-21. He is also now serving as additional secretary at prime minister’s secretariat. Media reports also claimed that batch-mates of Raja Azeem are in grade 18 while he is in grade 21, which has happened for the first time in the history of civil service.
The finance ministry was against the nomination of Raja Azeem-ul-Haque as executive director of World Bank in Washington although the summary for his appointment had been moved by the Economic Affairs Division.
It is a shame that only those government officials get promotion who are influential people and have political connections. One should imagine that what would have gone through all those colleagues of Raja Azeem-ul-Haque who have worked with him. They would have only thought they if there are political connections then one can get promotions else there is no merit system.
When these type of stories becomes big as when they appear on mainstream media, it also de motivates honest people from joining government jobs. One wonders when this injustice will be finished in Pakistan.