Proposal to dismiss Lashari sidelined

ISLAMABAD: Chief Secretary Sindh Kamran Lashari’s dismissal from service as recommended by an inquiry committee has been overlooked by the authorities. A day after the decision by the committee constituted by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the ex-chairman Capital Development Authority was appointed as CS Sindh.

Officials said that Lashari had allotted government land on lease to Shiza Foods for 37 years, violating the rules and regulations laid out by the CDA. As a result, the Supreme Court took notice of the breach and directed action against the former chairman.

Following the orders, the prime minister constituted a four-member inquiry committee headed by Secretary Water and Power Shahid Rafi on July 28 to probe the case.

Rafi submitted the findings to the PM on September 7, in which it was reported that Kamran Lashari had been found directly involved in illegal allotment of land. The report recommended that disciplinary action be taken under the Government Servant Rules 1973 (4-B) and Lashari be terminated from service.

The recommendations were also held up by the Supreme Court. Consequently, the prime minister issued the directives for immediate removal of Kamran Lashari from public service.

However, the next day Lashari was appointed as Chief Secretary of Sindh.

Officials alleged that some high-profile public figures were behind appointment of Chief Secretary Sindh Kamran Lashari.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 18^th, 2010.