ISLAMABAD:
Complying with a Supreme Court order, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani approved the transfer of the establishment secretary, whose suspension had been at the heart of the latest controversy between the government and the Supreme Court.
The government on Monday appointed former Establishment Secretary Sohail Ahmed as secretary, Narcotics Control Division, in what amounts to a demotion. Ahmed had effectively been suspended by being declared an ‘officer on special duty’ (OSD) after complying with an apex court order last week.
(Read: Establishment Secretary undermined my authority: PM Gilani)
The prime minister had removed Sohail Ahmad from the post, one of the three highest in the civil service, when he issued a notification, ordering the transfer of Gilgit-Baltistan Inspector-General (IG) Police Hussain Asghar to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the Hajj scam.
Hussain was transferred when he and his team were investigating multi-billion Hajj scam which cost two federal ministers their jobs.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ordered FIA Director-General Tehsin Anwar Shah and Sohail Ahmed to reinstate Hussain Asghar and his team to probe the Hajj corruption case, warning that those who violate court orders “will be sent to jail first and will be heard later”.
The court ordered Sohail Ahmed’s reinstatement within seven days.
(Read: Hajj scam: SC gives govt 7 days for Secretary Establishment reinstatement)
The prime minister also approved postings of other BPS-22 officers of the secretariat group. Aneesul Hasnain Musavi was posted as secretary of the ministry of national harmony and Abdul Ghaffar Soomro was posted as senior member of the Federal Land Commission.
Major-General Raja Mohammed Arif has been sent on secondment as additional secretary, defence. Accountant-General Pakistan’s Director-General (Inland Revenue and Customs) Jamal Abdul Nasir Usmani has been sent on deputation to the Benazir Income Support Programme as director-general (finance).
Economic Affairs Division’s joint-secretary Munir Ahmed has been asked to report to the Establishment Division. Meanwhile, Mussadiq Ahmed Khan, who was serving as the deputy-secretary of the Establishment Division, has been transferred to National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) as coordinator of the Citizen Damage Compensation Programme located in Cabinet Division’s Emergency Relief Cell.
An officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, Salman Chaudhry, who was serving in the National School of Public Policy in Lahore, has been is transferred to the Punjab government.
Maleeha Rashid, an officer of the District Management Group, will now report to the Punjab government.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2011.
COMMENTS (13)
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Its so strange that everybody thinks of a simple corruption case in terms of Executive vs Judiciary. It is a corruption case in which PM son is being investigated. There is an obvious conflict of interest in PM refusing to post Hussain Asghar back and his reluctance is very understandable. The worst part is that both sides are using bureaucrats for doing politics. The SC knew well who appoints BS 21 officers - not Secty Estab- and PM was not complying with court orders- whatever their constitutionality was- and PM was hiding behind Secretaries for quite some time- with every body getting the impression that DG FIA asked for Zafar Qureshi's transfer.
It has been a painfull to see that the PPP is bent upon to disobey the court orders to save the corrupt officials and its members.It appeasrs that in Pakistan there is no concept of accountability and the dream of Quaede Azam will never be fulfilled because of corrupt leaders and its aasociates.We must support Mr.Iftekhar Choudhry for his efforts to get Pakistan on right track.
He should have been given a job in railway. Late atleast 24 hours, when called by Supreme court.
It is a sad news. A weak person like Sohail Ahmad should not get any important posting. Any Judge can threaten him with arrest and he will be comply violating rules. Shame for those who threaten and those who give in!!!
Things are going from worse to worst. This is adirect result of long military rule, every one following his sweet will with free hand, reducing the basic law of the land,constitution as a piece if tissue-paper.Here in the current tussel between the executive and the juduciary, both try to out do each other. CJ tends to become Chief Executive too. This is against the spirit and philosophy of the parliamentary form of governmrnt. PM should also shun the impression of shielding the corrupt ones in the administration.
No an encouraging posting...............................
With a solid backing Mr Sohail Ahmed cares two hoots for the Prime Minister, the chief representative of the people of Pakistan. Mr Sohail Ahmed will be long remembered for the entombment of the ESTACODE. This time the epitaph of democracy is being written by the popularity savvy judiciary. As a citizen of Pakistan, I am waiting for 2013, when the judiciary will be restored for the people of Pakistan.
bravo chief justice carry on weakening the government and it won't be long before you are dragged by army/police again
Shouldn't he be posted BACK to where he was removed from for this to be a real success for the Chief Justice???
@syed Imran: What courage? CJ got him axed from Sec establishment post. So much for following SC's orders.
There can be no better place for Sohail Ahmad. He will learn some discipline from Army officers handling narcotics department.
Dear ET, take this as a suggestion. Your news layout now has 'Read: xxx' feature which plainly is a distraction. You are kindly requested to remove this as a better alternative is already available in the form of side bar titled 'Related Stories'
Regards
Bravo Chief Justice of Pakistan--- We salute your courage and dedication. This gives the upright officers to work with Grace,Honesty and Dedication.