IHC takes notice of ETPB chairman appointment
A six-member committee was constituted for examining the requests
Islamabad High Court. PHOTO COURTESY: IHC WEBSITE
ISLAMABAD:
Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah has sought a reply from the federal government in a week’s time on the petition filed against the posting of Dr Amir Ahmed as Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman.
During the hearing, retired Major General Muhammad Saad Khattak filed a petition. Counsel IHC Bar President Raja Inam Ameen Minhas and Chaudhry Waqas appeared before the court.
ETPB to be reorganized to promote religious tourism
The petition made ministry of religious affairs, ETPB, federal cabinet, cabinet division and selection committee as respondents.
The counsel argued that an advertisement had been placed in January 2019 for the post of ETPB chairman for which 154 people including the petitioner submitted requests.
A six-member committee was constituted for examining the requests, and after scrutiny, 10 candidates including the petitioner out of 154 candidates were called for an interview of which three were finalized.
The three shortlisted candidates included Muhammad Saad Khattak, Dr Amir Ahmed and Muhammad Hafeezullah Khan while the petitioner Muhammad Saad Khattak was on top of the list.
However, the abilities of the petitioner were ignored and Dr Amir Ahmed was appointed ETPB chairman and no reason was specified for his posting.
The summary of appointment of the chairman came under discussion several times in the cabinet but the PM could not take any decision owing to pressure of a few ministers.
During cabinet meeting on April 9, prime minister decided to interview the approved candidates himself but the appointment of the ETPB chairman was not on the agenda.
Despite this, some members of the cabinet forced the PM to go against his decision and appoint Dr Amir who had retired on March 9, 2019 from his post and was in service during the process and had been given second priority by the committee.
The court was requested to stop the government from issuing a notification and termed the appointment of chairman illegal.
CJ Athar Minaullah said that the matter was of high importance and ordered the federal government to submit reply and respond to the points raised in the petition in a detailed manner.
The court postponed the proceedings after directing the registrar office to hold the hearing next week.
Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Athar Minallah has sought a reply from the federal government in a week’s time on the petition filed against the posting of Dr Amir Ahmed as Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman.
During the hearing, retired Major General Muhammad Saad Khattak filed a petition. Counsel IHC Bar President Raja Inam Ameen Minhas and Chaudhry Waqas appeared before the court.
ETPB to be reorganized to promote religious tourism
The petition made ministry of religious affairs, ETPB, federal cabinet, cabinet division and selection committee as respondents.
The counsel argued that an advertisement had been placed in January 2019 for the post of ETPB chairman for which 154 people including the petitioner submitted requests.
A six-member committee was constituted for examining the requests, and after scrutiny, 10 candidates including the petitioner out of 154 candidates were called for an interview of which three were finalized.
The three shortlisted candidates included Muhammad Saad Khattak, Dr Amir Ahmed and Muhammad Hafeezullah Khan while the petitioner Muhammad Saad Khattak was on top of the list.
However, the abilities of the petitioner were ignored and Dr Amir Ahmed was appointed ETPB chairman and no reason was specified for his posting.
The summary of appointment of the chairman came under discussion several times in the cabinet but the PM could not take any decision owing to pressure of a few ministers.
During cabinet meeting on April 9, prime minister decided to interview the approved candidates himself but the appointment of the ETPB chairman was not on the agenda.
Despite this, some members of the cabinet forced the PM to go against his decision and appoint Dr Amir who had retired on March 9, 2019 from his post and was in service during the process and had been given second priority by the committee.
The court was requested to stop the government from issuing a notification and termed the appointment of chairman illegal.
CJ Athar Minaullah said that the matter was of high importance and ordered the federal government to submit reply and respond to the points raised in the petition in a detailed manner.
The court postponed the proceedings after directing the registrar office to hold the hearing next week.