Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The government has told International Monetary Fund (IMF) that as part of energy sector reforms, it would replace chiefs of power generation and distribution companies after mid-December, after the retirement of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
The CJP has frequently passed orders to ensure transparency and to follow protocols aimed at ensuring merit in appointments at critical positions.
Sources told The Express Tribune that the government informed the visiting IMF team head Jeffery Franks that it would replace the heads of power sector companies after the retirement of the CJP.
The decision to delay the move was taken in view of an increasing tendency among civil servants to approach the courts.
The government is reported to have convinced IMF team head of its argument. The report his team has produced after conclusion of the $6.7 billion loan agreement indicates this development.
In the report, IMF wrote, “the recent record of interventions by the Supreme Court in economic and administrative issues may be another source of uncertainty” to the programme.
During an interaction with leading economists, Franks has mentioned the issue of appointments. He also mentioned that he was on board the government’s plan to delay appointments to avoid risks of being struck down by the apex court, sources said.
He has come under pressure for designing the IMF programme which many believed to be faulty. The issue of increasing negative coverage with regards to IMF programme in the media came under discussion between IMF Deputy Managing Director Nemat Shafik and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington, the sources said. They also revealed that Dar refused to talk to critics of the programme and instead advised that Franks should himself take up the matter with the country’s economists.
Consequently, Franks held meetings with economists including Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan, who has written extensively against the design of the programme. Dr Khan confirmed to The Express Tribune that he met with Franks but did not divulge details.
As part of multi-tier energy sector reforms, the government is bound to reduce line losses, power theft and improve collection, which according to officials, was not possible without removing the top management of the power distribution companies.
In first phase of reforms, the government adopted an easy path and massively increased electricity tariffs, burdening the middle class the most.
The government had also formed a commission that was in charge of making appointments in the public sector. However, the commission’s Chairman Rauf Chaudhry, while talking to The Express Tribune said that appointments of chief executive officers of power generation and distribution companies were not in the commission’s portfolio.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2013.
COMMENTS (13)
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This is absolutely absurd that they drag in the Chief Justice of Pakistan in their dirty dealings. What they are going to do is to appoint their own lackeys who will do what NS wants them to do. I got a news for this government, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquired the independence after so much struggle and they will resist to let it go even by the new Chief Justice, I believe it is good for Pakistan to have strong, vibrant and independent judiciary. There should be no room for the pliant judiciary any more. Why are they insinuating to IMF official that Chief Justice is not doing his job and is a hurdle to progress, it is quite the contrary, the Chief Justice is arresting this rampant corruption in all of the institution of Pakistan which has permeated even to the lowest rung of the bureaucracy.. We are going to see that PML-N will be emulating PPP in corruption and may even surpass them, mark my words for it. Some of the IMF loans are going to be siphoned off and deposited in Swiss banks by certain people in the ruling class and the poor nation of Pakistan will be holding the bag as usual.
Normally one would criticize the govt for such a move - but in this case they may have a point as CJ has devolved into a publicity seeking jurist who rarely accomplishes anything of substance. I doubt history will be kind to CJ.
ETBLOGS1987
Is Pakistan judiciary restricted to one individual or is it an institution? If it is an institution, why should it change once CJP retires? Have there been legitimate appointments done on merit with due process that the judiciary has blocked?
Like all Pakistanis who have squandered every opportunity in office, CJP is no exception. He could have really established himself within the ranks of Judges like Cornelius and Kayani. All he had to do was apply the law in all cases, including his own son and his so called friends, Sharifs of Raiwind.
Judiciary only strikes down the appointments not in accordance with law. If our government will work according to the law no hurdle will be created.
Secondly if the government thinks that the next CJP they will appoint will be less ruthless in pointing out their mistakes they are wrong.
This intention shows the PMLN love to merit and transparency.
Does this news surprise any one?
Good governance 101 - Noora style
Unfortunately, judiciary, like most other institutions, has outstretched its mandate. Someone should hold CJP accountable for blocking the privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills. Given the amount of tax payers money that's gone into keeping this near bankrupt institution alive, it would have been good had this company been privatized even for one rupee. Judiciary has done more harm to this economy that it thinks.
not only power chief ,whole governament, self made opposition,COAS,CJP are going to be replaced till end of December 2013,and insahaallah Pakistan will witnesss fresh cool breeze.
Oh poor CJP - watch how the very same people are going to drag you down once you retire. Indeed you used your power quite absurdly. Your job is just to work on law aspect of the country but clearly you have lost it.