News
Friday, May 31, 2013
Caretaker PM withdraws transfer, posting orders
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso on Thursday informed the Supreme Court of Pakistan that he had directed concerned authorities to withdraw transfer and posting orders of over 20 federal secretaries and blamed Election Commission of Pakistan for the decision of postings.
Submitting a two-page reply through his counsel Arif Chaudhry in contempt of court case regarding posting and transfer of 22 federal secretaries in violation of the court’s judgment in Anita Turab case, the caretaker PM told the SC that ECP orders issued on April 2 were the root cause and origin of issuance of these orders that prompted court to contemplate action in the case.
The prime minister also said that he had the greatest respect for the Supreme Court and held it in the highest esteem and honour and firmly believed in its supremacy.
“The above noted withdrawal of the impugned orders, amply demonstrates and proves beyond any iota of doubt the sincerity of the respondent in maintaining and abiding by the writ of the Honorable Court and manifests allegiance and commitment to implement the judgment of this Honourable court in Anita Turab’s case” , he further stated.
It is to be noted that Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister (PSPM) Khawaja Siddiq Akbar is also facing contempt of court notice in the same case. He has already submitted two pages reply and expressed willingness to present documentary evidence before the SC, if needed, but in camera, not in the open court.
“Without naming individuals, documentary evidence can be presented in camera, if so desired by this apex court,” stated Khawaja Siddiq Akbar in a two-page statement he submitted.
In his reply Akbar explained that the only consideration before the competent authority was public interest and good governance, without any extraneous considerations.
He also requested the court to afford him an opportunity to explain and elaborate in person, but in camera, the evidence and documents available with him to assist the court to come to a just and right adjudication of the matter.
He explained that the all the transfer and postings made after the May 11 general elections were made on the basis of reports and summaries received from ministries concerned, highlighting and underscoring need for change of incumbents either for inefficiency, incompetence or on grounds of unsuitability.
The transfer / postings were done with the approval of the competent authority (caretaker prime minister) besides the ECP was also duly intimated in this respect.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk