­ISLAMABAD - The Establishment Division has refused to follow the Prime Minster Office’s order regarding the posting of former principal information officer Rao Tehseen as Director-General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation with an objection to get an approval from the federal cabinet, The Nation has reliably learnt.

Secretary to Prime Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad had issued a notification on May 10 that said: “The Prime Minister has been pleased to approve posting of Rao Tehseen Ali Khan, a BS-21 officer of Information Group as Director General, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Islamabad with immediate effect.” The letter had also been sent to the Secretary Establishment Division.  Tehseen is the most senior officer of the Information Group and the federal government made him as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) after the Dawn Leaks case surface last year. PM Abbasi had rejected the promotion case of Tehseen to grade-22 in last the three High-Powered Selection Board meetings.

Tehseen had also challenged the Dawn Leaks report in the Islamabad High Court. 

Last year, the PM’s Office issued directives that “Rao Tehsin Ali, principal information officer of the Ministry of Information shall be proceeded against under the Efficiency and Disciplinary Rules 1973 on the charges based on findings in the instant report”.  Sources in the Establishment Division told The Nation that no formal summary in this regard has been received from the information ministry. They said the Establishment Division has conveyed to the PM Office to get an approval from the federal cabinet for the posting of Tehseen as DG PBC.

The Nation attempted to get a version of the Secretary Establishment Division on the phone and text messages but he did not respond till the filing this story. 

On the other hand, officials of the information ministry said that a summary of the SG PBC had been moved a few days back but the name of Tehseen was not part of the summary. They said that the PM had given an extension to Managing Director Associated Press of Pakistan and the information secretary has been given the temporary charge of MD Pakistan Television Corporation. They said that members of APP board of directors have been appointed with the approval of the federal cabinet.