PM Imran Khan has directed the State Minister for Climate Change, Zartaj Gul to revoke the letter drafted for National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) for the appointment of her sister.
The matter got into the limelight, when Shabnam Gul, sister of the state minister was appointed as a Grade-19 director in NACTA on deputation for three years. The appointment was believed to be under influence by the minister as she was accused of writing a letter for the appointment to the concerned authority.
However, while commenting on the issue, NACTA clarified that the discussed letter was not moved from the minister herself, and it was written by the Principal Staff Officer of Gul to the Secretary Interior. The authority further explained that the appointment was followed by pure merit and due process. Shabnam Gul was among the six shortlisted candidates out of the twelve federal and provincial officers who applied for the post. The appointment was also authorized by the committee of four members.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Naeem-ul-Haq commented on the situation that the incident is strongly against the motive of PTI against nepotism. He added that “no one in the PTI government can promote their relatives or friends by using their positions”.
Earlier to the appointment, Shabnam Gul was serving as an Assistant Professor at Lahore College for Women University (LCWU). Gul was also accused of being disqualified by the university over plagiarism charges back in 2007. But Sardar Asghar Iqbal, another assistant professor, clarified that the disqualified lady was not the sister of the state minister.
