De-notify advisers to CM, says SHC

Court seeks details of salaries paid to advisers in violation of orders

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the provincial government to immediately de-notify the provincial advisers to the chief minister for information, labour, and works and services departments since the court had declared their appointment against the law.

Headed by SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, the two-judge bench also directed the advocate-general to submit within two days the notification of the implementation of this order along with the details of emoluments they had availed from the date the court nullified their appointments.

These directives were issued during the hearing of a petition challenging the appointment of Barrister Murtaza Wahab as adviser to the chief minister on law, enquiries and anti-corruption establishment.



At the outset, AG Zamir Ghumro submitted a notification regarding de-notification of Wahab, who was serving as law adviser. However, petitioner Fareed Ahmed Dayo pointed out that the advisers of three others departments, including information, labour, and works and services, were still holding the offices. Their appointments are in violation of the court's order passed on November 22, 2016, declaring the appointments as illegal, he said.

Maula Bux Chandio was still working as CM's adviser on information, Senator Saeed Ghani as adviser on labour while Asghar Junejo as adviser on works and services, he said.

CJ Shah asked why these three advisers were allowed to exercise ministerial powers, perks and privileges after the court had nullified their appointments.

Ghumro said none of the advisers had been given the portfolio of any department nor were they enjoying any perks and privileges. He added that Wahab had returned his salary for the last two months.

How does an adviser stand entitled to receive Rs1,280,000 from public funds as monthly salary, CJ Shah wanted to know. If it is established that salaries and perks had been paid to the advisers, an FIR could be lodged against the relevant officials, he remarked.

The court directed the provincial government to also immediately de-notify the three advisers from their posts and submit the details of the salaries they had availed after the nullification of their appointment and exercise of ministerial powers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2017.