Suo motu notice: World Bank posting under apex court scrutiny
The Supreme Court on Monday took suo motu notice of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf using his discretionary powers to appoint his son-in-law, Raja Azeemul Haq, to the post of World Bank executive director (ED).
The court has fixed the hearing for December 19 (Wednesday) before a three-member bench headed by Justice Anwer Zaheer Jamali. The case has been clubbed with an ongoing hearing regarding Haq’s appointment in the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI).
Haq had been serving in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat as the additional secretary on a grade 21 post, after an out-of-turn promotion in the EOBI in BPS-20.
The decision to appoint Haq as the World Bank ED was taken despite resistance from Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who tried to convince the premier to change his mind. In addition, the Economic Affairs Division, the department which was asked to formally move the summary, also opposed the move. The department suggested that a head-hunting committee or selection board be set up under the Establishment Division to select a suitable candidate.
The PM Secretariat, however, maintains that there was ‘nothing unusual’ about the move.
Policy experts were stunned by the appointment of a junior officer as a World Bank ED, a post which would enable him to represent a constituency of seven countries and afford him an annual salary of $220,000. It is feared that the move would not only bring embarrassment to the country but also compromise Islamabad’s stance on crucial economic issues.
The ED represents seven nations comprising Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana and Algeria on the World Bank’s Board. The ED and alternate executive director (AED) rotate between Pakistan and Algeria every two years.
The appointment requires endorsement from other constituent countries and, according to the finance ministry; the World Bank too has its own system to ensure merit before confirming such appointments.
The job of the ED and AED is to defend development projects of all seven countries on the WB Board, provide input on macroeconomic reports relating to the constituent countries, give opinions on global economic issues and defend the quotas and voting rights of the constituency.
Interestingly, Haq has been nominated to replace seasoned bureaucrat Javed Talat, who has also officiated as the federal finance secretary.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 18th, 2012.
COMMENTS (24)
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@Amin Khan: You don't know the facts - 1 - He passed the CSS, what position and when? How is he grade 21 at his age? Whats his noteworthy contribution to our polity - a sum of zero! 2 - He got a degree from Australia?! Never heard of this university, please source your rankings. Also, Australian universities are considered second tier globally in any case. 3 - Finally, the most important point, 'the Bank approved his appointment' - this is a nomination buddy not a competitive position he got on his merit. EDs, AEDs and Advisors to EDs are nominated by respective governments.
You're the one who needs to get his facts right!
During General Pervaiz Musharraf’s tenure he select professionals of the fields for ministership in their concern fields of specialization i.e Dr Ata ur Rehman etc. where as at present the ministries are used for awarding favors to near & dear ones without taking their background of specialization, Medical doctor is serving as petroleum advisor to Prime Minister, 71 year old brother in law of Defence Minister is made Chief of Cricket Board, Fresh Graduate daughter of Commerce Minister is made 1st Secretary in Pakistan Embassy in Ireland, Totally fresh graduate daughter of Senate Chairman was appointed as Senior Officer in State Bank of Pakistan drawing salary of more then 250,000/ with perks, Brother in law of party’s Secretary General was made Chairman of OGRA and his son was also appointed in same organization against heavy salary and given one year study leave with salary and re-imbursement of foreign educational expenditures.
@Amin Khan: It still does not qualify him. Would he have even thought of this position had he not been the PM's relative? That also as a Grade 18 Income Tax employee! Why are they not thinking of the country? There are so many truly seasoned bureacrats that are capable and presentable for such positions.
@the Skunk:
Has the SC/CJ lived upto your expectations in Arslan case ? This is divine law : corrupt money destroys one's character . wait and see how this law works out in the present case .
@meekal a ahmed: Dear Sir, I refer your previous comments on the issue:
You are misinformed. The World Bank does not approve these appointments just as the IMF does not approve appointments on their side. This is the EXECUTIVE BOARD we are speaking of. The Bank does not intefere in the staffing of the ED’s Office. As a matter of courtesy and procedure, Pakistan should have sent nominations of say 3 persons and allow the ED (presently from Algeria) to chose the most suitable candidate. It seems this was not done in this case so that they will be saddled with a government nominee who seems to have absolutely NO experience and/or background in what is a pretty demanding position. I feel sorry for the Office of the ED since it is a small office and the work-load has to be shared by all. Same in the IMF. Sending people there with no knowledge/experience or who are simply incompetent has disasterous consequences for the quality of the work and hurts staff morale.
The Supreme Court is the only intrepid institution left in Pakistan that is living up to its manifesto, objects clause, constitution or the laws that led to its formation. Thank you Supreme Court and please do not stop. Salams
This must be the dummest "suo moto" by this hyper-active Supreme Court.
Have they got nothing else to do? How about passing "suo moto" orders to the lower courts to clear the back-log of their cases and give them three months to do so?
I speak from bitter experience, on behalf of my family, with a case that is seven years old and no next date set for hearing!
I will most probably be dead before they decide it.
These kinds of outrageous appointments take place everyday. While that does not make them right, the only reason the SC has taken notice of it is because it involves the PM.
This is just an effort to malign Gov. World Bank has already approved his appointment. Besides PM Son-in-law is a seasoned Bureaucrat.
I checked the sources. 1. PM Son-in-law is a bureaucrat - he passed CSS examination and got inducted. 2. He has obtained MS from Australian National Univ. - which is the highest ranked in Australia 3. World Bank has approved the appointment
Now how many people know these facts before they started criticizing PM! I think its just another effort to malign the gov.
its not strange. it's the history of Pakistan elite ruling class esp of PPP. but this time the people of Pakistan have some hope in the shape of SC. we love u SC.
I hope SC assigns an proper legible candidate for this post. While I can't blame the PM's relatives wanting a job with $220k salary, it is not in the benefit for the rest of the 170 million Pakistanis.
We should send someone with experience in skills for that ED post. Go go supreme court!
I am unable to understand what is unusal in this nomination/appointment looking at the past of Pakistan. This news was published in ET on 15-12-2012; http://tribune.com.pk/story/480045/pm-appoints-son-in-law-to-key-world-bank-post/ and a lot of comments were there interalia one comment was that the PM is following footsteps of third caliph (RA); than what is wrong with SC with it. Another thing million of common man cases are lying in the lower & superior courts for want of decision and implementation; but nothing is being done in these cases; but the window dressing. As some says; justice delayed is justice denied; so whether is there any accountability for the judicial system for delaying/denying the justice for the common man of Pakistan.
Good job SCP but I'll be even more happy when you will convict someone for real since remarks & orders are never going to work in Pakistan until few big shots get to taste jail time.
Corrupt rulers..................................................................................................
The PM should be ashamed at this appointment. A good example of Nepotism at it's worse.Thank you SCP for timely action
More important news which is still not the knowledge of media is the appointment of the other son in law of PM (Shahnawaz Mahmood) in Pak Brunei Investment Company (one of the best performing and profitable DFIs). The person was a manager level employee in a small subsidiary of ministry of finance and does not fulfill any criteria set by SBP for appoint of CEOs in banks/DFIs. However, SBP has exempted him from all the criteria under severe pressure. Secondly, Pak Brunei is a joint venture/partneship between govt of Pakistan and Govt of Brunei. As per the agreement between them, the position of MD and chairman of board of directors is to be held alternatively by both partners. For first term (which expired in 2010), Pakistan got the position of MD and Brunei chairman. For the second term, it was Brunei's right to appint MD. However, Brunei showing courtesy and seeing exceptional performance of incumbent MD (Ayesha Aziz), forego their right and allowed extension for another term (whichi will end in 2014). Now out of blue, and breaking all ethicial professional or diplomatic nomrs, govt has issued notification of appointment of new MD (PM's son in law-Shahnawaz Mahmood) without the consent even information of other partner Brunei. Brunei govt got infuriated and has rejected appointment of incompetent person and intimated govt to reverese its decision or Brunei will close the company and will also end diplomatic ties with Pakistan but the govt is delaying the issue for over 2 monhts.
Maybe it is simply an innocent mistake on the part of the PM. Maybe he does not know that "nepotism" means "the practice among those with power or influence of favouring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs"
The current govt is pretty confident that they will rule for another term..once the pawns are in place and the stage is set they make their move.
Great CJ.. These leaders should be taught that they didn't get Pakistan in dowry... .
" Nothing unusual " maintains PM Secretariat . How true ! It is so usual for the PM office to commit irregularities and violate laws in appointing unqualified persons to high positions . Anyway, one looks forward to seeing Raja ki Baraat in SC on 19th December .
Supreme Court is the hope for Pakistan! My salute to the CJ & SCP !!!
how about suo moto of more important issues like the killings of shias and Baluch?
Great, SC seems to be the only instution left who is looking after interest of people of pakistan as otherwise PPP and its ruling aliance will sell the country.
This shows how concerned our prime minister is with this country. Shukria supreme court.