It seems that these OSDs are not using extraneous influence like most government servants seem to do.
ISLAMABAD: This refers to your report of November 20 titled "21 bureaucrats sidelined by authorities" wherein it is stated that more than two dozen officers on 'special duty' (OSDs) are awaiting their next posting.
It seems that these OSDs are not using extraneous influence like most government servants seem to do by asking members of the federal cabinet or parliament in general to plead their case. This, of course, is legally barred under the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964.
This tendency to use extraneous influence has not been curbed and all standing orders and instructions on the subject have remained on paper — i.e. the Estacode and other official circulars issued from time to time. Even the present prime minister seems to have failed in enforcing his own directive given in a cabinet meeting (PR No.3 of July 01, 2009 as posted on the PID website). He pointedly referred to Rule 19 of the Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and decided that all those officers violating these rules will be dealt with strictly under the Removal from Service Ordinance.
Jameel Bhutto
Former federal secretary
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2010.
