Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Noor Meskanzai. Courtesy: bhc.gov.pk
QUETTA: Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Noor Muhammad Meskanzai on Monday ordered the provincial government to reverse its decision of transferring Planning and Development Department additional chief secretary.
The provincial government had transferred Additional Chief Secretary Planning and Development Naseebullah Khan Bazai to CMIT as its chairman and had appointed Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Hafiz Abdul Basit in his place.
Bazai knocked on the door of the BHC.
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A two-judge bench, headed by CJ himself and comprising Justice Hashim Kakar, heard the petition and ordered the chief secretary to clear his position.
During the hearing, Balochistan Advocate General Rauf Atta Advocate, Munir Ahmed Kakar Advocate, Bazai, Basit and other officials were present.
The court observed that with only two days left to wrap up the government set-up, the administration started transfers and postings of government officers.
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The court directed the government to reverse the transfer order of additional chief secretary otherwise it would release its observations on the matter. The court adjourned the hearing till Tuesday (today).
It is pertinent to mention that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has imposed a ban on transfers and postings in government departments across the country in the wake of upcoming general elections.
Meanwhile, the divisional bench of the BHC has announced to conduct regular hearings in the matter of fresh delimitation in Balochistan.
PkMAP MPA and Public Accounts Committee Chairman Majeed Khan Achakzai, former senator Saifullah Magsi, MNA Sardar Kamal Khan Bangulzai, MPA Nawabzada Tariq Magsi, Naseer Ahmed Shahwani and other politicians had challenged Balochistan’s new delimitation in the BHC.
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The divisional bench, comprising Justice Naeem Akhter Afghan and Justice Abdullah Baloch, observed that hearing on a regularly basis would help to reach a quick judgement regarding the delimitation as the country was heading towards elections.
The bench also observed that the elections date would not affect the petition filed against the ECP’s new delimitation in the country.
Arbab Tahir Advocate, Shah Muhammad Jatoi Advocate, Naseebullah Tareen Advocate, Attaullah Langove Advocate, ECP’s law officer Haroon Kasi and representative Mehran Khan appeared before the court during Monday’s hearing.
On general election date announced by President Mamnoon Hussain, the bench remarked, “The elections’ date (July 25) won’t affect hearing in which petitioners challenged the newly marked delimitation by the ECP. To announce final judgement as quick as we can, the court will hear the petitioners on a regular basis.”
Following the first day of hearing and the petitioners’ statement, the court adjourned the hearing till Tuesday (today).
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