Post-retirement service: 13 police officials removed on SC order

In October 2012, the apex court had ordered to cancel appointments on contract.

KARACHI: “Go home and enjoy your retirement. Let the young guns of the police force, which are your family, come to the front and receive their promotions.” This was the consensus of the larger bench of the Supreme Court hearing the Karachi law and order case on Friday.

On Thursday, the bench - led by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan - had asked the acting Sindh chief secretary Arif Ahmed Khan about the status of 14 officials in the police department serving on contract, even though it had ordered for all such appointments to be cancelled last year.

The 14 officials, who appeared on court’s notice on Friday, were individually questioned on the nature of their assignments. Expressing their dissatisfaction with officials holding position beyond the designated period and those who were not eligible for their posts, the apex court ordered their removal. Within hours, the contracts of 12 officials were cancelled,

The court was told that the other two officials held the posts of Sindh police IT department project director and assistant director. The chief justice noted the importance of such projects and asked the police department to make room for their positions - but not at the expense of other police officials. “And make sure you don’t bring in people for the IT department and then give them uniforms,” warned Justice Muslim.

Overtaking others

“Where is the money for these contract officials coming from? It is not in the budget as these are not sanctioned posts,” said the judges, making it clear to the official of the services, general administration and coordination department, that there will be no burden on the sanctioned budget. “If you want to keep these officials as consultants, by all means keep them. Pay for them and their kids - but not a penny will be spent from the police budget,” said Justice Khawaja.

“If you have done your time, then leave. Look after your brothers - let them be promoted and feel ownership,” said Justice Chaudhry. “A uniform holds immense value and no employee on contract can take that away from deserving candidates.”

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