The termination of 1,400 ‘ghost’ employees by Quetta Metropolitan Corporation (QMC) sheds light on a pervasive issue that speaks volumes about deterioration of government departments over the years. The existence of these phantom workers, who have been drawing salaries without performing any duties, is not just a matter of financial burden but also a glaring indictment of administrative inefficiencies that have plagued our public sector.
While sacking of these ghost employees by QMC Administrator Mohammad Hamza Shafqaat is undoubtedly a step in right direction, it is crucial to recognise that this is not an isolated incident. The problem of ghost employees is deeply entrenched across various government departments, not just in Balochistan but also throughout the country. The recent action by QMC should serve as a wake-up call for other departments to undertake similar investigations and cleanse their payrolls of non-existent workers who drain public resources. For years, reports have surfaced about ghost employees in different provinces, with Sindh being particularly notorious regarding issue of ghost teachers. Such revelations underscore a systemic failure in governance, where those at the helm of these departments have failed to perform their duties with required due diligence. In an era of digital technology, where tracking and managing human resources can be done efficiently through automated systems, it is inexcusable for such practices to continue. The implementation of digital attendance systems, biometric verification and centralized databases can play a pivotal role in eradicating this menace. By adopting these technologies, we can enhance overall performance and accountability of our public sector departments, thereby enhancing public trust in them. The battle against ghost employees is not just about saving money, it is about rebuilding the integrity of our governance structures and ensuring that public servants are held to high standards of accountability and efficiency that people of Pakistan rightfully expect.
