Report sought on appointments
A file photo of the Sindh High Court building.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday ordered the Sindh government to submit a report regarding appointments and transfers made after the announcement of the schedule for the local government elections.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro heard the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) against transfers and postings ahead of local bodies' polls in Karachi and Hyderabad.
Justice Mohammad Iqbal Kalhoro Kalahoro remarked that the ball is in the Election Commission of Pakistan's court. The ECP should ask for an implementation report from the Sindh government.
Justice Kalhoro remarked what is the status of the administrators who have been challenged? Advocate Shihab Imam stated that the appointment of the administrator of Karachi and Hyderabad is unlawful. The court inquired that what is the status of the administrator of Karachi. The lawyer said that the administrator of Karachi was appointed on the December 9, after the announcement of LG polls scehdule.
In a dialogue with the Advocate General, the court said that you should record the statement, and the appointments made after the election schedule will be withdrawn.
Secretary Services and General Administration Department assured the court of revoking any work done in violation of the regulations. The court remarked that the decisions of illegal appointments and transfers should be withdrawn. The court sought a report from the Sindh government on January 9.
After the hearing, PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi said while talking to the media said, "We approached the court when the ECP did not respond to our application.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2023.