Appointment of CM’s principal secretary challenged in LHC

Petitioner’s counsel contends that due process has not been followed

LAHORE:

The appointment of Muhammad Khan Bhatti as the principal secretary to the chief minister of Punjab's was challenged in the Lahore High Court alleging that no due process had been adopted, and that the recruitment was made by violating the Constitution.

The petitioner's counsel, Mian Dawood, contended in the petition that it is a settled law that where it was found that any person holding any position in or related to the government or performing functions directly, indirectly or incidentally in connection with the affairs of the federal or any of the provincial governments or any local authority had been appointed on the basis only of political affiliation (as political favour) and represented an exercise to reward cronies at the expense of public money, the superior judiciary could extend its outreach to undo such appointments.

He implored that the respondent chief secretary issued a notification on July 26 in which it was stated that respondent Muhammad Khan Bhatti was transfered with immediate effects and posted as principal secretary to the chief minister of Punjab against a vacant post.

However, the chef secretary apparently in order to cover his illegality issued another notification having the same number and date in which it was stated that the respondent Muhammad Khan Bhatti was transferred with immediate effects and posted as principal secretary to the chief minister of Punjab against a vacant post on deputation basis.

Advocate Dawood further highlighted that the chief secretary issued these notices before the oath-taking ceremony of the newly-elected Chief Minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi.

He implored in the petition that the post of the principal secretary belonged to the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) cadre.

He prayed the court to declare the appointment of the principal secretary to the CM illegal, and the notifications issued for his appointment be set aside.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2022.