Pakistan’s administrative and political history contains numerous accounts of nepotism, misuse of authority and the distribution of government positions through political patronage. However, the appointment of an individual lacking a recognised university degree and relevant professional qualifications to the highly sensitive and financially influential position of Commissioner for Afghan Refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a major question.
An examination of documents and circumstances surrounding the appointment suggests that the selection of Ziaur Rehman, brother of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, for this particular position was neither a coincidence nor an administrative necessity. Rather, the report alleges that the appointment served the interests of an organised financial and political network.
According to the investigative review, provincial and federal civil service regulations require individuals appointed as departmental heads or commissioners to possess relevant professional experience, qualifications obtained through competitive examinations such as the Central Superior Services (CSS) or Provincial Management Service (PMS), and a degree from a recognised university.
In Ziaur Rehman’s case, the report claims that established regulations, merit requirements and eligibility standards were disregarded. He was not only inducted into government service but was also appointed directly to lead the sensitive Afghan Commissionerate instead of being assigned to one of the province’s numerous other departments.
If the objective had merely been to secure government employment for a relative, he could have been appointed to an ordinary administrative, educational or local government department.
However, the report argues that the deliberate selection of the Afghan Commissionerate for Fazlur Rehman’s brother, allegedly through the JUI-F chief’s political influence, indicates that the real objective was to gain access to the authority and financial resources associated with the position.
Why the Afghan Commissionerate? Illegal Documentation and a Financial Network Worth Millions
The position of Commissioner for Afghan Refugees may appear to be primarily administrative and humanitarian. However, the office has historically played a central role in matters involving the registration of Afghan nationals, Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, their renewal and the provision of other legal documentation.
According to documentary and investigative sources cited in the report, the appointment facilitated the establishment of an organised network intended to provide legal cover to Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without valid documentation.
The network reportedly involved issuing registration cards through fraudulent or suspicious entries and gaining control over substantial funds provided by international humanitarian organisations for refugee welfare.
Critics claim that millions of rupees were allegedly collected through these activities.
They further allege that issuing documentation to individuals residing in the country without legal status not only generated financial benefits for those involved but also compromised national security and internal security requirements.
Destruction of Merit and Violation of Civil Service Rules
Administrative affairs experts cited in the report describe Ziaur Rehman’s appointment as one of the most serious examples of disregard for merit in Pakistan’s civil service history.
On one hand, millions of educated young Pakistanis struggle to secure even junior clerical or administrative positions despite holding degrees from reputable universities.
Many candidates undergo demanding competitive examinations and spend years working their way into government service at grades 17 or 18.
On the other hand, the report alleges that Ziaur Rehman, described as a madrassa student without a recognised university degree or relevant civil service experience, was appointed directly to the important position of commissioner because of his relationship with Fazlur Rehman.
The report argues that this reflects a double standard under which ordinary party workers and disadvantaged students are encouraged to embrace sacrifice, simplicity and perseverance, while family members and close relatives allegedly receive preferential treatment at the expense of established laws and merit-based recruitment principles.
It further contends that such appointments undermine public confidence in government institutions and the credibility of the civil service system.
Compromising National Security Through Political Influence
In a sensitive province such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has faced cross-border terrorism and infiltration for decades, the collection and management of Afghan refugee data and the monitoring of refugee movements are directly connected to national security.
The report argues that appointing an individual allegedly lacking relevant professional qualifications, but benefiting from political patronage, to such a sensitive position adversely affected systems responsible for identifying undocumented foreign nationals and maintaining their registration records.
It alleges that weaknesses in documentation and identification procedures emerged as a consequence of politically influenced administrative decisions.
The report maintains that when personal and family interests take precedence over national security, decisions are made in which family loyalty becomes more important than professional competence and eligibility.
Demands for Accountability and Questions From the Public
As Pakistan implements stricter measures against undocumented foreign nationals and seeks to eliminate fraudulent identity and registration documents, questions are increasingly being raised in public and intellectual circles about accountability for alleged past irregularities within the Afghan Commissionerate.
These questions concern suspected corruption, the alleged issuance of illegal registration cards and the appointment of officials without adherence to merit-based requirements.
The report asks who will be held accountable for any financial misconduct or administrative irregularities that may have occurred through the Afghan Commissionerate.
It also questions whether the individuals responsible for allegedly facilitating unlawful documentation and benefiting from the associated financial arrangements will face investigation.
The report contrasts Fazlur Rehman’s public emphasis on religion and morality with the controversial appointment of his brother, Ziaur Rehman, and the alleged financial network associated with it.
It calls for a comprehensive forensic investigation into the appointment and related financial activities.
Such an investigation, the report argues, should establish how an individual allegedly lacking relevant qualifications was appointed Commissioner for Afghan Refugees and determine whether the appointment or any associated activities caused financial losses to the national exchequer, undermined the integrity of the civil service or compromised national security.
The report concludes that a thorough examination of appointment records, qualifications, financial transactions and administrative decisions is necessary to establish accountability and determine whether any laws or regulations were violated.
