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SC suspends, transfers, postings, deputations made by interim govt
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday suspended all transfers, postings, deputations and termination of contracts made by the caretaker government with immediate effect.
The apex court also declared that it would announce the final verdict regarding these transfers and postings on June 6. It said the new government needed to make all appointments transparently.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Gulzar Ahmed resumed hearing into a petition filed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif, stating that the caretakers were transferring and posting employees without having a lawful mandate.
Khawaja Asif apprised the court that even after clear SC directives, the interim government was continuing to transfer employees or sending them on deputation. He also stated that on June 3, about 100 officials from Balochistan were sent on deputation which was a gross violation of rules and regulations.
The chief justice expressed his annoyance over the action and also directed Khawaja Asif to follow rules and regulations after coming into power.He observed that without following transparent policies, no appointments and postings should be made.
Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry remarked that all identical cases of transfers and postings would be clubbed and a principle would be set, which should be followed by the next government as well.
The CJ observed that the apex court still had a very clear stance that no transfer, posting, deputation, promotion or termination of contracts could be made by the interim government.He directed the attorney general of Pakistan (AGP) to get a detailed report from the Establishment Division regarding all such actions by the interim government.
The AGP informed the court that Justice (retd) Faqir Khokar took charge as Chairman Anti-Doping Appellate Tribunal on May 16 and resigned from the office on May 22.The bench was also informed that the contract of doctors at the Polyclinic Hospital was also terminated by the interim government violating all the rules.
Similarly, an adviser in the Ministry of Finance was suspended without solid reasons.
The bench, in its order, suspended such transfers and postings, etc, made during the period of the current government.The bench issued notices to the secretaries of establishment, law and health and principal secretary to the prime minister, directing them to submit a complete list of such actions on the next date of hearing.The bench adjourned the hearing till June 6.
Courtesy www.geo.tv