Govt plea turned down: ECP ban on new recruitments to stay
Commission, however, allows exemptions but prohibits diversion of funds.
The ban on fresh recruitment will not apply to constitutional bodies and to posts advertised before August 31, 2012. PHOTO: INP
ISLAMABAD:
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has turned down a government plea to review the ban on new recruitments in public sector organisations and diversion of funds towards politically motivated projects.
In its meeting on Wednesday, the commission reiterated that any department making new hiring before the new government took over would have to justify its requirement and seek prior approval from the ECP.
The ban will, however, not apply to constitutional bodies and to posts advertised before August 31, 2012.
While making it clear that the ban on diversion of funds will stay, the commission allowed exceptions for “strategic projects” and for cases where an international donor funding the project make a request.
The ECP’s unanimous verdict in response to the government’s plea, authored by the chief election commissioner (CEC) and four provincial chief election commissioners, is likely to be released today (Thursday).
The government had challenged the ECP ban on fresh recruitments in public sector organisations and diversion of funds, claiming that it could issue no such directives before the announcement of the election schedule.
Briefing journalists following the meeting, ECP Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan said similar references had been filed by 25 organisations and ministries.
The ban was imposed last month after media reports claimed that the government was making politically motivated recruitments and diverting funds from projects of national importance towards politically motivated schemes ahead of the general elections.
In its notification, the ECP had allowed recruitments through the federal and provincial public service commissions. The notification mentioned no exemptions creating the impression that the ban applied to all public organisations.
According to sources, constitutional bodies, such as Supreme Court, had also sought a clarification as to whether the ban on recruitments applied to them as well. Constitutional bodies include the ECP itself, Council of Islamic Ideology, Parliament and the office of the auditor general of Pakistan in addition to the superior courts.
Proposal to extend scrutiny procedure
ECP Secretary Khan told the media that the commission has also forwarded a proposal for extending the time required for scrutiny of nomination papers to the parliamentary commission on election matters.
Under the existing law, district returning officers have two to three days to scrutinize the nomination papers of election candidates.
Khan said the proposal to amend the scrutiny procedure had no connection with Minhajul Quran International chief Dr Tahirul Qadri – who has called for 30-day time for the scrutiny. The ECP secretary added that the proposal had been part of the ECP reforms programme it started two years back.
The election commission also reviewed other means to improve the scrutiny procedure. Sources said the commission discussed the idea of involving the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Income Tax, National Accountability Bureau, Anti-Narcotics Force, Higher Education Commission and others in the scrutiny process to ensure tax evaders, loan defaulters and those with bogus qualifications do not contest elections. Similarly, the commission discussed that those who filed false declarations on dual nationality should also be discouraged from participating in elections.
The ECP secretary said the commission will meet SBP and FBR officials next week to discuss the subject.
ECP’s own meeting will continue today (Wednesday). The commission will also meet opposition leaders separately to hear their reservations and suggestions.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has turned down a government plea to review the ban on new recruitments in public sector organisations and diversion of funds towards politically motivated projects.
In its meeting on Wednesday, the commission reiterated that any department making new hiring before the new government took over would have to justify its requirement and seek prior approval from the ECP.
The ban will, however, not apply to constitutional bodies and to posts advertised before August 31, 2012.
While making it clear that the ban on diversion of funds will stay, the commission allowed exceptions for “strategic projects” and for cases where an international donor funding the project make a request.
The ECP’s unanimous verdict in response to the government’s plea, authored by the chief election commissioner (CEC) and four provincial chief election commissioners, is likely to be released today (Thursday).
The government had challenged the ECP ban on fresh recruitments in public sector organisations and diversion of funds, claiming that it could issue no such directives before the announcement of the election schedule.
Briefing journalists following the meeting, ECP Secretary Ishtiaq Ahmed Khan said similar references had been filed by 25 organisations and ministries.
The ban was imposed last month after media reports claimed that the government was making politically motivated recruitments and diverting funds from projects of national importance towards politically motivated schemes ahead of the general elections.
In its notification, the ECP had allowed recruitments through the federal and provincial public service commissions. The notification mentioned no exemptions creating the impression that the ban applied to all public organisations.
According to sources, constitutional bodies, such as Supreme Court, had also sought a clarification as to whether the ban on recruitments applied to them as well. Constitutional bodies include the ECP itself, Council of Islamic Ideology, Parliament and the office of the auditor general of Pakistan in addition to the superior courts.
Proposal to extend scrutiny procedure
ECP Secretary Khan told the media that the commission has also forwarded a proposal for extending the time required for scrutiny of nomination papers to the parliamentary commission on election matters.
Under the existing law, district returning officers have two to three days to scrutinize the nomination papers of election candidates.
Khan said the proposal to amend the scrutiny procedure had no connection with Minhajul Quran International chief Dr Tahirul Qadri – who has called for 30-day time for the scrutiny. The ECP secretary added that the proposal had been part of the ECP reforms programme it started two years back.
The election commission also reviewed other means to improve the scrutiny procedure. Sources said the commission discussed the idea of involving the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Income Tax, National Accountability Bureau, Anti-Narcotics Force, Higher Education Commission and others in the scrutiny process to ensure tax evaders, loan defaulters and those with bogus qualifications do not contest elections. Similarly, the commission discussed that those who filed false declarations on dual nationality should also be discouraged from participating in elections.
The ECP secretary said the commission will meet SBP and FBR officials next week to discuss the subject.
ECP’s own meeting will continue today (Wednesday). The commission will also meet opposition leaders separately to hear their reservations and suggestions.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 7th, 2013.