Over the past months the word “democracy” has been bandied about a lot; its true meaning often in contention. For me, the true spirit of democracy means justice for all, an equal, fair system. It seems despite recent grand claims our ways will not mend. When Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced reform of the civil bureaucracy, the disease of this government, it seemed the tide had turned. He promised merit-based promotions and a transparent system of appointments, a line parroted by Interior Minister, Choudary Nisar. Yet injustices are still abound; and junior officers are promoted, superseding the most senior officers of the ministry of interior. My brother, Muhamaad Iqbal Shahid, Assistant Director Passport and Immigration department is serving as a passport officer for the last 20 years. Being number two on the list he was entitled to be promoted against the two vacant seat of deputy director. Due to a conspiracy of some bureaucrats he was deprived of his right on the pretext that his ACRs were missing. In an APC convened for the purpose of considering promotions for other posts they went beyond their authority to promote a junior officer, Mr Salamat Qureshi to the post. They ignore the fact that the concerned official has nothing to do with obtaining his own ACRs and it is the job of the department to do so. Numerous rules were broken just so that favoured officers can be given a bigger slice of the pie. The Prime Minister and the Interior Minister are requested to inquire into this matter and to ensure that justice is done. They must hold true to what they have promised, instead of hoping that the illegal actions of their department will be ignored.
CH. ZUBAIR AHMED,
Lahore, January 15.