This is in apropos to the news of challenging the appointment of Youth Chairperson. It is perplexing to see that the appointment of the Youth Chairperson has been made in blatant violation of principles enumerated in the famous Anita Turab case, which states that every appointment shall be made on the principles of fairness and transparency. The superior courts have also laid down the dictum that every appointment will be guided by the principles of fairness and openness. So how can an appointment be made without advertising the post, though the impugn appointee has been appointed on an honorary basis?
In addition, the superior courts have laid down a dictum that irrespective of the fact that the post is honorary or there are perks attached, all the appointments connected with the federation should be confirming to the principles of transparency and openness. In another landmark judgment 2010 SMR 1301, the Supreme Court of Pakistan decided that the discretionary powers of the executive cannot be exercised in an arbitrary and whimsical manner, but on the principles of merit and fairness.
During the proceedings it was shocking that the lawyers, appearing on behalf of the Chairperson Youth Program, could not produce her educational qualifications, despite claiming that the chairperson is a PhD in Political Science. It was really embarrassing when the court inquired how it was possible that someone who had done masters in English Language, later completed her PhD in Political Science? The whole incident exposed sheer nepotism in its preferential treatment in the appointment by the government. The decision of the Lahore High Court is a landmark, as it has now concluded that even an honorary position, in the public sector development program, involving taxpayer’s money, discretionary powers have to be exercised by the executive in following the principles of fairness and transparency.
SHERAZ ZAKA,
Lahore, November 15.