News
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
President converts Malik’s dismissal into retirement
* Interior minister’s possible disqualification from parliament likely to be averted
By Tahir Niaz
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has converted into retirement Rehman Malik’s dismissal from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) more than a decade ago, to avert Malik’s possible disqualification from parliament, as a dismissed government employee cannot hold a public office, according to sources.
Article 63(i) of the constitution clearly disqualifies a person from becoming a member of parliament if he/she has been dismissed from service of Pakistan or service of a corporation or office set up or controlled by the federal government, provincial government or a local government on the grounds of misconduct or moral turpitude.
Malik was a suspended FIA additional director general at the time he fled the country. He was dismissed in absentia from service by the Nawaz Sharif government in 1998 over corruption charges that were never reversed. The sources said then president Muhammad Rafiq Tarar turned down Malik’s appeal in 1999 against his dismissal from service.
The sources said the Law Ministry prepared a summary to convert Malik’s dismissal from service into retirement under Section 23 of the Civil Servants Act of 1973.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani approved the summary, and sent it to the president for final approval, who also endorsed it, said the sources.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk