ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the secretaries establishment and cabinet divisions and health ministry to furnish the complete list of all appointments, transfers/postings and termination of officials during the tenure of caretaker government.
The court maintained its May 22 order regarding suspension of appointments, transfers and postings made by the caretaker government. The court on May 22, except the transfers made for free and fair elections and for running of day-to-day business, suspended all the appointments, postings and transfers carried out by the caretaker government.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry directed the secretary ministry of law and principal secretary to prime minister to submit their stance about the contents of application, filed by Syed Adil Gilani, Adviser Transparency International-Pakistan against the appointment of Salman Farooqui as federal ombudsman.
Hearing the petition filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s senior leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif against the transfers/postings and reshuffling of high officials by the caretaker government, a three-member bench has also summoned applicant Syed Adil Gilani tomorrow (Thursday) in this matter.
During the hearing, PML-N leader Khawaja Muhammad Asif appearing before the bench told that despite of the court’s May 22, more than 100 officers from Balochistan province were deputed in different departments in violation of rules of regulations.
Khawaja Asif said that the caretaker government had terminated the services of several officials, who were already working on their respected posts. He told that an advisor of finance ministry was terminated four days ago, despite knowing the fact that annual budget was being prepared.
The bench said that this is a significant case; therefore, they would lay down principals regarding the appointments, transfers and postings. It asked the petitioner, Khawaja Asif, to assist the court on this matter and if he was busy in other affairs then he may engage a counsel in this regard.
Meanwhile, the Chief Justice again warned the PML-N leader that newly elected government should also make sure that all the appointments be made in transparent manner.
Upon this, Khawaja Muhammad Asif ensured the bench that everything would be done in a transparent manner and the nation would see this in the coming days.
Regarding the appointment of Salman Farooqui as federal ombudsman, Attorney General for Pakistan Irfan Qadir contended that Transparency International-Pakistan Advisor Syed Adil Gilani had given wrong information to the court regarding the appointment of Farooqui as federal ombudsman.
The CJP made it clear if he had submitted false statement in the court then he would have to suffer.
The AGP also told the bench that Justice (Retired) Faqir Muhammad Khokhar, who was appointed as chairman Anti-Dumping Tribunal on May 16, had resigned from this post on May 22.
Raja Amir Abbas informed that Justice (Retired) Ahmad Khan Lashari as chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) had also tendered his resignation. Advocate Tariq Asad complained that a few doctors of Polyclinic were also transferred. The hearing of the case is adjourned until Thursday (today).