Nearly 2,500 Pak army men still holding civilian posts

Islamabad, Jan 22 (ANI): Pakistan Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar has informed the National Assembly that as many as 518 military personnel have been repatriated to the army since July 2008 whereas 2,451 are still working in civilian departments.

Mukhtar was asked to present the details about the total number of army personnel repatriated to their parent departments since July 2008, and the number and designations of those who were still working in civilian departments, the Daily Times reported.

He said of the 518 repatriated army personnel, 14 were officers whereas 504 were junior commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers.

Mukhtar said 2,451 army personnel were still working in civilian departments on the departments' request or under legal provisions that included civil armed forces, law enforcement agencies and training institutions.

The Defence Minister said those personnel still working in civilian departments included 150 officers and 2,301 junior commissioned officers, non-commissioned officers and officers from other ranks.

Mukhtar said Pakistan had not signed any defence agreement with any country, however, Pakistan had signed various agreements and memorandum of understandings with a number of countries on military and defence cooperation. (ANI)