Constitutional violation: SCBA resents induction of bureaucrat in SC
Association likely to bring the matter to the notice of CJ.
Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has decided to convey its concern to the chief justice regarding the appointment of a bureaucrat, Tahir Shahbaz, as the apex court’s registrar.
An executive member of the SCBA told The Express Tribune that during its last meeting the body had decided to convey its concerns regarding the appointment of a civil servant as a registrar.
He added that the bar was considering challenging Shahbaz’s appointment under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution as appointment of a DMG officer is in clear violation of the Supreme Court and its judgement.
SCBA president Kamran Murtaza is likely to bring up the issue on the occasion of full court reference, being held on April 12, on Justice Khilji Arif’s retirement.
Meanwhile, it was also learnt that despite facing criticism for hiring bureaucrats on deputation to fill up senior positions in the apex court’s administration, Khalid Nasim, a grade-20 officer has been promoted as the Additional Registrar.
A senior official revealed that the apex court’s administration is now controlled by three bureaucrats. Izzat Jahan Aqdus, a BPS-19 officer of the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service (PA&AS), has been given the charge of deputy registrar (administration).
“The executive wants to depute officers in the apex court’s sensitive posts as these officers will protect the government’s interests but we will not hesitate to take up the matter with the chief executive and protect our institution’s interests”, he added.
In a similar view, head of the opposition group in SCBA, Hamid Khan, also opposed the appointment of the new registrar saying that it has never happened that a bureaucrat has been appointed as the registrar.
It is to be noted that the SC has hired five offices on deputation to fill up senior positions in the top court’s administration.
Recently, it has hired 21-grade officer Tahir Shahbaz as the top court’s registrar. Hamid Ali, a grade-19 officer, has been appointed the secretary to the chief justice.
Likewise, District and Sessions Judge Khalid Tippu is already working as the human rights cells director-general on a deputation basis. Additional District and Sessions Judge Saadia Arshad is also working as the director of the human rights cell, which is a grade-20 position.
On the other hand, Muhammad Ali is already working on a permanent basis as the apex court’s additional registrar.
“Eighteen BPS-19 officers are working in the Supreme Court. Of them, 12 are assistant registrars, four research officers, one public relations officer (PRO) and one is working in the HR cell,” officials said, explaining that experienced personnel in the judiciary’s bureaucracy are available, yet ‘outsiders’ were brought in.
Most of these BPS-19 officers have experience of more than five years, but they have not been consulted for key posts, they added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2014.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has decided to convey its concern to the chief justice regarding the appointment of a bureaucrat, Tahir Shahbaz, as the apex court’s registrar.
An executive member of the SCBA told The Express Tribune that during its last meeting the body had decided to convey its concerns regarding the appointment of a civil servant as a registrar.
He added that the bar was considering challenging Shahbaz’s appointment under Article 184 (3) of the Constitution as appointment of a DMG officer is in clear violation of the Supreme Court and its judgement.
SCBA president Kamran Murtaza is likely to bring up the issue on the occasion of full court reference, being held on April 12, on Justice Khilji Arif’s retirement.
Meanwhile, it was also learnt that despite facing criticism for hiring bureaucrats on deputation to fill up senior positions in the apex court’s administration, Khalid Nasim, a grade-20 officer has been promoted as the Additional Registrar.
A senior official revealed that the apex court’s administration is now controlled by three bureaucrats. Izzat Jahan Aqdus, a BPS-19 officer of the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service (PA&AS), has been given the charge of deputy registrar (administration).
“The executive wants to depute officers in the apex court’s sensitive posts as these officers will protect the government’s interests but we will not hesitate to take up the matter with the chief executive and protect our institution’s interests”, he added.
In a similar view, head of the opposition group in SCBA, Hamid Khan, also opposed the appointment of the new registrar saying that it has never happened that a bureaucrat has been appointed as the registrar.
It is to be noted that the SC has hired five offices on deputation to fill up senior positions in the top court’s administration.
Recently, it has hired 21-grade officer Tahir Shahbaz as the top court’s registrar. Hamid Ali, a grade-19 officer, has been appointed the secretary to the chief justice.
Likewise, District and Sessions Judge Khalid Tippu is already working as the human rights cells director-general on a deputation basis. Additional District and Sessions Judge Saadia Arshad is also working as the director of the human rights cell, which is a grade-20 position.
On the other hand, Muhammad Ali is already working on a permanent basis as the apex court’s additional registrar.
“Eighteen BPS-19 officers are working in the Supreme Court. Of them, 12 are assistant registrars, four research officers, one public relations officer (PRO) and one is working in the HR cell,” officials said, explaining that experienced personnel in the judiciary’s bureaucracy are available, yet ‘outsiders’ were brought in.
Most of these BPS-19 officers have experience of more than five years, but they have not been consulted for key posts, they added.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2014.