Legal notice sent to LG minister over ‘MDA irregularities’

It has come to light that Grade 5 employee, with controversial history, has been reinstated to high-ranking positions

A lawyer has sent a legal notice to Sindh Minister Saeed Ghani as soon as he assumed the charge of Ministry of Local Government. Aurangzeb Bhutto Advocate sent the notice which pertains to alleged rule violations and irregularities within the Malir Development Authority (MDA).

It has come to the light that a Grade 5 employee, with a controversial service history from South District, has been reinstated to two high-ranking positions within the MDA.

According to sources, the new director general (DG) of the MDA, Najabuddin Sehto, upon assuming office, reappointed Muhammad Irfan, despite court orders and previous dismissal by the former DG on February 27, 2024. Irfan's reappointment, given his questionable service record and serious corruption allegations, has sparked unrest among MDA officers and employees.

Sources reveal that a departmental inquiry conducted by former municipal secretary Najam Ahmad Shah found Irfan's service record suspicious, resulting in his dismissal from the District South Grade 5. Moreover, Irfan has been accused of involvement in the improper disposal of valuable government land within the MDA, allegedly in collusion with land grabber groups.

Despite the former DG's actions and subsequent communication with the additional chief secretary of the Local Government Department on February 27, 2024, seeking Irfan's removal, the new DG proceeded with the controversial reappointment, bypassing necessary approvals, including that of Minister Saeed Ghani.

Interestingly, the minister imposed a ban on all transfers and appointments in the Local Government Department immediately upon taking office, in compliance with a Supreme Court directive against deputations.

In light of these developments, Aurangzeb Advocate sent a legal notice to both Sindh Local Government Minister and the DG of MDA, calling for the immediate cancellation of Irfan's “illegal” appointment. This marks the first legal action taken against Ghani regarding irregular appointments within the MDA since assuming office.