In recent weeks, my services in the AKES,P and my character have been under unfair scrutiny on the Chitral

News based on the information provided by the AKES,P management. Since the discussion has closed, it is appropriate for me to get the facts straight. 

 

On August 24, 2009, I received a ‘show cause’ notice from Nasir Noorani, a department manager which stated as to why I had issued shuttering and block making plates (construction tools) to staff and non-staff members of the community for personal use.  My response was that GMs before me had made these tools available to community members when not in use in the AKES,P system and I simply continued the existing practice.  On September 29, 2009, I received a letter from Sughra Choudhry Khan, the CEO, which stated: “The aforesaid act is deemed totally unacceptable; especially at such level of seniority in the institution… your services are only concluded with benefits.” 

 

The Chitral News report has criminalized my character, both as a senior long serving AKES,P professional and as His Highness’ appointed leader in the Ismaili community by attributing to me words such as corruption, misappropriation, poor performance etc.  Some wrote about my strengths and integrity while others questioned my professional ethics.  Few bitter and disgruntled targeted AKES,P school’s performance forgetting the enormous contribution that the teachers have made and continue to make towards quality education, they are indeed model for their counterparts.  Unfortunately, as their manager, whenever I presented their genuine concerns to the AKES,P management, I found myself despair, isolated and helplessness.

 

I joined AKES,P, neither through a backdoor nor political blackmailing, but rather on merit with management credentials from the United Kingdom and much valued management experience in the AKHS,P.  During my career, every program, project and opportunity for staff academic advancement and professional development has been implemented.  137 community based schools were established, 55 community based educational societies were registered under the Social Welfare Society’s Act along with M G saving Rs. 44,750,000/= to ensure the schools’ sustainability.  2132 students have passed their SSC examinations from these new set of schools.  Enrolment in AKES schools doubled from 6000 to 12000.  365 students received scholarships from the European Community fund.  267 seismic resistant school buildings were constructed, from Arandu and Asherat to Brughil and Gobor.  Lands were acquired for 2 Higher Secondary Schools and AKU/IED’s PDCC and construction of school buildings were completed.  81 staff finished post graduate studies in education from AKU, NDIE and overseas universities, 21 of them are heading programs, departments, schools as well as PDCC.  The EMIS was introduced in the system and according to the National EMIS, Chitral data is the most reliable.  NPEP report recommended AKES network to be used as a laboratory for innovation and model of community participation.  This brief summary is a glaring proof of my managerial competencies and professional performance.  I am very proud in humility of my achievements.

 

It was my dedication to my work and untiring efforts to access the communities in the remotest villages of Chitral.  In recognition of my achievements, the Pakistan News International awarded me with the Gold Medal for best performance in extending education to the underserved and isolated poor communities.  These projects and programs would not have been possible without the support of the government departments, local communities and counterpart institutions with which I enjoyed a superb cordial professional relationship.  I am grateful in particular to the leadership of the Ismaili Councils for upper and lower Chitral and their affiliate institutions to honor me and acknowledge my contribution to the education development of Chitral. Last but not least, I deeply appreciate the kind words and thoughts of those who wrote to the Chitral News in support of my integrity.

Zohran Shah

 

This is in reference to the letters regarding GM AKESP's termination from service. I feel your website has given undue importance to the matter by publishing so many letters about it. Appointments, promotions, terminations etc, are routine matters in organisations and should be looked at, in the same way. After all, when the said GM was appointed, it might have come as a news in the papers of that time but no debate whether the decision was right or wrong had evolved on it then, So why should it, now?  Regardless of the fact whether the decision was right or wrong, verdict of the higher authorities should be accepted wholeheartedly as is the basic norm in any organisation. No person is above an institution and the little I know, AKDN is very kind and magnanimous with it's employees and even has some degree of tolerance for incompetence and corruption when treating it's employees.  So if the step has been taken by the organisation, there must be good reasons with them and we should not debate it.

This is with reference to the news of GM AKESP's removal from the service. It was really discouraging for all the AKDN staff in the region. I request all those writers who try to justify this action by some irrational and illogical arguments, to study the role of AKES in Chitral. Zohran is man of vision who promoted female education in Chitral in a situation when nobody was ready to send their daughter out of their house. If today we talk about quality education, this is also because of his efforts in this field. I personally acknowledge him for his achievements and incredible job. I know he is fully satisfied with his services to Chitrali people and I am sure that best future is waiting for him.