Flaws in the system: Court stays ‘unfair’ appointment of 700 ASIs

Petitioner says that vacancies were being filled in violation of the law.

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court issued a stay order on the recruitment of around 700 assistant police inspectors in Sindh police till February 15.

The court has also called replies from Sindh’s chief secretary, home secretary, police chief and others as to why vacancies were being filled allegedly in violation of laws.

Petitioner Zakir Ali Khan, candidate aggrieved by the appointment process, said that the police department had advertised 700 posts of ASIs in newspapers in June 2011 which were supposed to be filled through the public service commission as required under the Police Order 2002.

Being eligible, Khan applied and waited for the interview call. Meanwhile, the Police Order 2002 lapsed and Police Act 1861 was enforced.

While the authorities reiterated the commitment to complete recruitment through the public service commission, the home department took back powers given to the commission for ASIs appointment in October 2012.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the enforcement of the Police Act 1861 was illegal, as the prime minister’s mandatory consent was not sought for this purpose. Denial of making appointments through the public service commission also shows mala fide intentions of the seniors.

“At least 31,090 aspiring candidates submitted their applications with a fee of Rs500 each, which suggests that the government earned at least Rs1,545,000 from the poor people. But, there is no record of such earnings,” alleged the lawyer.

He asked the court to set aside the orders regarding withdrawal of power from the public service commission for appointments of policemen.

After the initial hearing, the bench headed by Justice Faisal Arab, issued notice to the Sindh’s chief secretary, home secretary, police chief and others for February 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2013.