Breaking News. BBC Urdu Service: All in the family. BBC Urdu Service Editor: Boss and brother simultaneously. In one of the most blatant and the worst examples of nepotism and violation of BBC’s recruitment policy, elder brother is immediate boss and line manager of his younger brother.. Raja Waqas Ali, who happens to be younger brother of London based BBC Urdu Service News Editor, Raja Zulfiqar Ali, is producer in bbcurdu. Mr.Waqas was appointed as an Audience Champion in marketing department as part timer in early 2011.. BBC Urdu Service head Mr. Aamer Ahmed Khan appointed him as an assistant producer soon after marketing department was closed in late 2011. His appointment was made in utter disregard of recruitment procedures and merit.. The post was never advertised nor was recruitment procedures followed by conducting written test, interview or board. His appointment is also in contrivance with BBC’s policy about recruitment of kins and friends. BBC’s policy says “If individuals are unsure whether a relationship amounts to a close personal contact or whether it is a disclosable family interest they should discuss the circumstances with HR. Individuals should not be in authority, either directly or indirectly over family members or someone who is a close personal contact. There is normally no objection to family members or close personal contacts working in the same department, provided the above issue does not arise. The recruitment of relatives (or other close personal contacts) to provide services or programme material requires special consideration and any personal interests where a potential conflict of interest may arise must be declared or referred to the individual’s manager, as individuals will not be permitted to be involved in the recruitment process. If individuals wish to be accompanied on a business trip (e.g. an occasion where you are representing the BBC), by a partner or other close personal contact individuals must have the authorisation of their manager and all the expenses for the companion, including travel and accommodation must not be paid for by the BBC”. And also Raja Waqas Ali has little if any journalism experience. Since BBC Urdu News Editor, Raja Zulfiqar Ali, is very close to section head of the service Mr Aamir Ahmed Khan and demonstrates the worst form of sycophancy, Mr Aamir appointed Mr Ali as News Editor and his brother as an assistant producer out of sheer favouritism. He has no contribution for the BBC ever since he joined the organization and still he became the News Editor. This fact was brought into notice of senior management of the BBC and HR London, but they did not take any action. Hiring and firing is favourite pastime of BBC Urdu section head since he became head of service in 2007. He was alleged by senior colleagues to hire friends and family with a total disregard to journalistic requirements. On their complaint the HR in London cancelled appointments of one particular batch of new hires and a board was constituted to do the rehiring. The board became controversial as section head himself was in the board to ensure his friends are retained. One of his first hires was his closest family member who was commissioned to do a radio feature on the water crisis. She traveled, used BBC facilities, and got paid, without finishing the project, let alone submitting it. There are about 10 producers or reporters in BBC Urdu Service who are relatives, friends or friends of BBC Urdu managers. BBC Urdu managers’ actions have badly damaged the repute of the BBC in Pakistan. The management and HR in London are seen as complicit in the ruin of Urdu Service at the hands section head.
Posted on: Fri, 31 Oct 2014 07:42:08 +0000
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