ECP directed to enforce transfers without discrimination

IHC seeks report on transfer of officers on the recommendations of electoral watchdog

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a report regarding the transfer of officers based on the recommendations of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) during the caretaker government.

The court has given the commission till Tuesday for the submission of the report, inquiring about the number of officers who have been transferred as per the ECP's suggestions. It also inquired about the reasons behind the decision to keep certain officers in their current positions.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, who earlier presided over a petition against the transfer of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Deputation Officer Member Planning Waseem Hayat Bajwa, issued a written order on Saturday.

Bajwa had challenged the decision to send him back to the Inland Revenue Department in accordance with the ECP's orders.

During the hearing, the IHC had instructed the ECP to implement its notification on transfers without any discrimination. It further warned that if the ECP's order was not followed without discrimination by the upcoming Tuesday, the order would be suspended in the case.

The decision was taken in light of the ECP's orders regarding the transfer of secretaries from various departments and the Inspector General (IG) of Sindh.

It is pertinent to note that the ECP issued another directive on Friday, urging the Establishment Division to promptly transfer the deputy commissioner and inspector general of police Islamabad.

In another letter to the secretary Establishment Division, the additional director general (Election-I) said: “In continuation of this office letter of even dated 24 October 2023 (copy enclosed) on the subject cited above, I am directed to state that, it was required to send a compliance report regarding transfer/posting of the remaining officers of ICT/Administration/Police who have not been transferred till that date, but the same has not yet been received in this office.”

“It is once again directed to transfer IG Police and Deputy Commissioner ICT without further delay under intimation to this office,” it added.

Earlier, in a letter to the secretary Establishment Division, the ECP had said, “in continuation of this office letter dated August 17, 2023, I am directed to state that the remaining officer of ICT Administration and Police who have not so far been transferred may immediately be replaced.

”In this regard, the secretary Establishment Division was advised to take up the matter with the secretary interior on priority basis for transfer of the officers and send a compliance report to the ECP.