LHC gives Punjab Secretary till December 14 to explain IG prisons posting

Petitioner DIG Prisons argued that a Grade 19 officer has been posted on a Grade 21 post, violating rules.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court hearing a petition against the appointment of Kokab Nadeem Warraich  as inspector general of Punjab prisons, on Thursday gave the Punjab Chief Secretary till December 14 to explain why a Grade 19 officer been appointed on the post of a Grade 21 officer for the last two years.

The court also sought a reply from the chief secretary about undecided representations filed by the DIG of prisons Mian Farooq, who challenged Warraich’s appointment, while claiming his eligibility for the post.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial adjourned hearing of the petition till December 14 and observed that the court would decide on the petitioner’s pending representations if the chief secretary failed to dispose of it in accordance with the law by the next hearing.

Farooq appealed to the court that Warraich had been appointed as IG prisons despite being three years junior to him, thus violating rules 10(A) and 10(B) of Punjab civil servants (appointment and conditions of services) rules 1974.

The petitioner said Warraich was an officer of BS-19 but the government chose to appoint him against the vacant post of BS-21 in his own pay and scale in violation of the rules.

Farooq claimed that he had successfully qualified in the 93rd national management course for the post whereas Warraich, was holding the post of IG prisons without qualifying the mandatory course.

The petitioner prayed that the appointment of the respondent be declared null and void and without lawful authority.

At a previous hearing, Warraich had defended his appointment contending the government appointed him being most suitable, qualified and eligible officer. He claimed that no violation of constitution, law or departmental rules was committed by the authorities concerned while appointing him as Punjab IG prisons.