Islamabad (The COW News Digital) The alleged illegal recruitment controversy involving Asad Mahmood, son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, has intensified, with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) reportedly stepping up their investigations.
Former federal minister for communications Asad Mahmood has been summoned by NAB in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment at Pakistan Post. NAB Rawalpindi has issued a notice directing him to appear before its investigation team .
According to the notice, the investigation concerns alleged irregularities at Pakistan Post during Mahmood’s tenure as communications minister in 2022 and 2023.
Documents cited in the investigation reportedly indicate that the Establishment Division had authorised recruitment against 3,938 positions at Pakistan Post. However, the department allegedly recruited 4,252 individuals, exceeding the approved number of vacancies.
The notice also reportedly highlights recruitment against 2,646 abolished positions, raising questions about whether the appointments were made in violation of relevant government directives.
Investigators are examining who authorised the recruitment beyond the sanctioned positions and who permitted appointments against posts that had already been abolished.
The controversy has also raised questions about the implementation of recruitment policies and the role of officials involved in the appointment process.
According to NAB’s notice, recommendations had reportedly been made for recruitment on a contract basis through a testing agency. However, a large number of permanent appointments were allegedly made instead.
The alleged irregularities reportedly resulted in an additional financial burden on Pakistan Post, with the investigation examining the potential implications for public funds.
The inquiry is also said to involve allegations that some selected candidates had political affiliations.
Other issues reportedly under investigation include the alleged use of fake or forged documents, recruitment of candidates who exceeded the prescribed age limits and violations of domicile-based quotas.
These allegations have raised concerns about transparency, merit and compliance with established recruitment procedures within the government department.
The investigation is expected to examine the decisions made during the relevant period, including the approvals granted for recruitment and the officials responsible for implementing them.
The central questions remain who authorised appointments beyond the approved vacancies, who permitted recruitment against abolished positions and whether the relevant rules were deliberately bypassed.
NAB’s summons to Asad Mahmood marks a significant development in the inquiry. However, the allegations remain under investigation, and the notice does not establish guilt.
Asad Mahmood’s response to the allegations was not included in the provided report.
The case has attracted political attention because of Mahmood’s family connection to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the prominent JUI-F leader.
Further developments are expected as NAB and other investigative agencies continue examining the alleged recruitment irregularities at Pakistan Post.
