![file photo of supreme court photo express file file photo of supreme court photo express file](https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/534414-supremecourtexpress-1365716541/534414-supremecourtexpress-1365716541.jpg)
The Supreme Court of Pakistan warned of initiating contempt proceedings against the secretaries of various provincial government departments on Thursday for submitting “incorrect” reports regarding deputation, absorption and appointment of junior officers on senior posts.
The two-member bench, comprising justices Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Amir Hani Muslim, took notice of incorrect reports submitted by secretaries of 30 government departments in cases relating to induction of officers.
On Tuesday, the judges had ordered secretary services and general administration to call information from each department. Submitting his reply, secretary Naseer Jamali, said that the secretaries of 30 government departments had provided the lists while remaining 23 departments had yet to submit theirs.
“Out of the 155 officers whom the government has repatriated to their parent department in the compliance of court’s order, 47 have relinquished their charge while the government has retained services of 14 officers to benefit from their expertise,” the secretary said. The judges found that the available lists were incomplete.
The bench ordered Sindh Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas to personally appear with an explanation as to why incorrect reports were submitted in court and why 14 officers were retained despite orders for their repatriation.
“If the chief secretary fails to appear and furnish an explanation then he will also be proceeded against for contempt of the court,” the irate judges cautioned.
On request of Yawar Farooqui, the private lawyer engaged by the chief secretary, the bench granted time for submitting explanation along with correct reports of the secretaries concerned by Friday.
Juniors on senior posts
The bench ordered that all the junior officers, who were appointed on the senior posts while trampling over merits, should immediately be removed. A compliance report has also been called by Friday.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th, 2013.
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