A Senate panel on Monday expressed concerns over delay in payment of salaries to PTC and CT teachers at religious seminaries in the erstwhile FATA and directed the ministry concerned to clear dues of the teachers forthwith.
The Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (Safron) met with Senator Taj Muhammad Afridi in the chair and discussed in detail doubling of quota of students from ex-FATA in different universities and colleges, the pending salaries and regulations of PTC and CT teachers teaching in seminaries in the tribal districts and regulations regarding appointments made in health department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Being briefed on salaries and regulations of employees of religious seminaries in the erstwhile FATA, the committee was informed that currently 490 teachers are working in different religious seminaries. It was informed that teachers have not been paid salaries since 30 June, 2019 and the Department of Finance had not released funds for the project. The committee directed the department concerned for payment of emoluments by 31st January 2020. Secretary, Safron Aslam Kamboh assured the committee that the salaries of the teachers will be paid by the time.
In his observation, the chairman noted that health and education sectors need to be prioritized in the erstwhile FATA to bring the area at par with the developed regions of the country. He said that health and education have remained neglected in the areas and the government must focus on the social and economic development of the merged areas.
About the students' quota at different education institutions, the committee was informed that currently FATA has been allotted 4,048 seats in different universities and colleges, and of these 2,000 have been filled. The panel stressed the need for doubling the seats in all government colleges and universities. The panel also directed that a list of the universities which fail to comply should be submitted to the committee.
Officials of the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) informed the panel that applications would be invited from the students of tribal districts and decision has been taken in this regard. It was informed that quota for the students from erstwhile FATA has been enhanced. Officials of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) were of the view that notification has been issued and all the universities have increased the seats and from next session, the admissions will take place as per the new quota.
Discussing the appointments made by Health Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a list of illegal appointments was submitted to the committee. The committee was informed that the illegal appointments were made during the ban period and that the appointed persons were not found on their duty stations and they were receiving salaries while sitting at home. The committee stressed the need to terminate all such candidates as per codal procedure.rned.