Khyber Tourism Authority employees have lodged strong allegations against the District Tourism Officer for her alleged misuse of authority and demanded an inquiry into his illegal appointment and promotion to grade 18.
It has been learned that the top officials of the tourism department are helpless in front of a woman officer. And the officer also has the support of some important figures in the bureaucracy. Employees of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority have submitted a formal application to the Chief Minister, Board of Directors and Chief Secretary demanding an immediate inquiry into the allegations of corruption, misuse of authority, blackmail and unethical behaviour against the District Tourism Officer.
The collective complaint of the employees’ states that the officer got an illegal promotion after getting appointment as an intern in 2013 and became a Grade 17 officer in 2018, while many employees of the department are still waiting for promotion. The letter alleges that the female officer, while holding a Grade 17 position, illegally gained control over two key Grade 18 positions, Manager Procurement and Manager Events, and allegedly awarded contracts to her preferred contractors in the distribution of contracts.
The complaint further states that the audit report 2022-23 has identified serious financial irregularities related to the Dubai Expo, in which the accused has a direct role. The employees alleged that she is using government vehicles, drivers and other facilities for personal use while harassing staff and also passing confidential government information to the media and influential circles.
The employees said that the images and videos that have surfaced in the media in recent days have severely damaged the reputation of the department. In addition, he is accused of handing over the official motorcycle to his relative and not returning it for four years, even after the intervention of the police.
The complainants say that despite receiving transfer orders in April this year, the officer refuses to come to the office and is ready to return only if he is given back his old responsibilities. He is also accused of suspiciously transferring the official vehicle to his home and using it for personal use.
The employees have demanded that the government immediately seize their mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices for forensic investigation, immediately suspend them and make them OSD and form an independent and transparent inquiry committee to restore the dignity of the institution and ensure a safe and harassment-free environment for the employees.
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