The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former communications minister Asad Mahmood, son of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, over alleged irregularities in Pakistan Post Office appointments made during his tenure in 2022 and 2023. Mahmood was appointed federal minister for communications in the coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), following the ouster of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government through a no-confidence motion in April 2022.
The anti-corruption watchdog directed Mahmood to appear before its investigation team on November 10 at 11 am to respond to questions concerning the recruitment process. According to the NAB notice, the Establishment Division had authorised recruitment against 3,938 vacancies in the Pakistan Post Office.
However, 4,252 people were allegedly recruited, exceeding the approved number of positions. The notice also alleges that appointments were made against 2,646 abolished vacancies in violation of cabinet committee instructions.
NAB further stated that permanent appointments were made despite recommendations for recruitment on a contractual basis through a testing agency. The allegations include the use of fake documents, recruitment of overage candidates, and violations of the domicile quota.
The bureau warned that failure to comply could result in legal proceedings under Section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999. Separately, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) anti-corruption circle in Islamabad has also issued a summons to Mahmood in connection with the same investigation, directing him to appear on November 2 to record his statement regarding alleged corruption during his tenure.
Legal experts suggest that the dual summons from both NAB and the FIA indicate a deepening probe into the administrative affairs of the Ministry of Communications during the previous coalition government. The investigation focuses on whether the recruitment process bypassed merit-based protocols to accommodate political appointees.
Asad Mahmood, who served as a key figure in the previous administration, has yet to issue a formal statement regarding these specific summons. His legal team is expected to review the documents provided by the anti-corruption authorities before his scheduled appearances.
The recruitment scandal has drawn significant attention from political circles, with opposition members demanding a transparent inquiry into the matter. The Pakistan Post Office, a vital state institution, has faced scrutiny over its operational efficiency and hiring practices in recent years.
The accountability process remains a central theme in the current political discourse, with various agencies intensifying their oversight of past ministerial decisions. The outcome of these investigations will likely have implications for the political standing of the JUI-F leadership.
As the investigation progresses, the authorities are expected to scrutinize the records of the Establishment Division and the Ministry of Communications to determine the extent of the alleged procedural violations. Further updates are expected following the scheduled appearances of the former minister.