Transfers and postings case: PM Khoso told to submit response by June 6
The caretaker premier is not required to make a personal appearance before the bench, says Justice Khawaja.
Justice Khawaja asked PM Khoso’s counsel, Arif Chaudhry to submit his client’s response for making such transfers. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court on Friday gave caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso until June 6 to submit his response in a contempt notice issued against him for violating its ban on transfers and postings.
The principal secretary to the prime minister, Khawaja Siddiq Akbar, who was also served a contempt notice, told the apex court in his written response that all postings and transfers made after the May 11 elections were due to reports and summaries received from the ministries concerned.
“Without naming individuals, documentary evidence can be presented in camera if so desired by this court. Same were made on compelling reasons, on substantive grounds regarding their general reputation, conduct and performance. The only consideration before the competent authority was public interest and good governance without any extraneous considerations,” Akbar said.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, then deferred the hearing until June 6 and directed caretaker PM Khoso’s lawyer to furnish his reply in the case by that date.
Secretary Establishment Division Taimur Azmat Usmani is yet to file his reply after the SC issued a notice to him as well regarding the transfers and postings of as many as 20 senior bureaucrats before and after the general elections.
During the hearing on Friday, Justice Khawaja asked PM Khoso’s counsel, Arif Chaudhry to submit his client’s response for making such transfers.
Moreover, he said the caretaker premier was not required to make a personal appearance before the bench. However, he may be asked to do so if there was a need after his response is submitted.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2013.
The Supreme Court on Friday gave caretaker Prime Minister Justice (retd) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso until June 6 to submit his response in a contempt notice issued against him for violating its ban on transfers and postings.
The principal secretary to the prime minister, Khawaja Siddiq Akbar, who was also served a contempt notice, told the apex court in his written response that all postings and transfers made after the May 11 elections were due to reports and summaries received from the ministries concerned.
“Without naming individuals, documentary evidence can be presented in camera if so desired by this court. Same were made on compelling reasons, on substantive grounds regarding their general reputation, conduct and performance. The only consideration before the competent authority was public interest and good governance without any extraneous considerations,” Akbar said.
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, then deferred the hearing until June 6 and directed caretaker PM Khoso’s lawyer to furnish his reply in the case by that date.
Secretary Establishment Division Taimur Azmat Usmani is yet to file his reply after the SC issued a notice to him as well regarding the transfers and postings of as many as 20 senior bureaucrats before and after the general elections.
During the hearing on Friday, Justice Khawaja asked PM Khoso’s counsel, Arif Chaudhry to submit his client’s response for making such transfers.
Moreover, he said the caretaker premier was not required to make a personal appearance before the bench. However, he may be asked to do so if there was a need after his response is submitted.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2013.