Dismissed: Court throws out former CDA chief’s petition

Rules there is no evidence of mala fide intention behind transfer.

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday dismissed Farkhand Iqbal’s petition where he challenged his repatriation to his parent department.

Iqbal had petitioned the court to reinstate him as he had served only a year out of the five-year tenure specified for the Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman in the authority’s rules.

Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi dismissed the petition on the grounds that the petition was not maintainable. The court observed in its order that “the petitioner’s counsel has failed to point out any illegally and mala fide [intentions] regarding the transfer of his client”.

Iqbal had been replaced by Tahir Shahbaz, a grade-21 Pakistan Administrator Services officer, on Tuesday.

The court observed in its order that transfer and posting is a routine matter and does not reflect any prejudice if the petitioner is transferred back to his parent department.

The bench observed that the plea in favour of a five-year tenure is without rationale.

Iqbal told The Express Tribune that he would not challenge the court order. “I’m no more interested in pursuing this case. I filed the petition because I was frustrated by the decision,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2012.