Just an explanation

Home Department has asked Prisons IG to submit an explanation regarding allegations levelled against him.

LAHORE: The Home Department has asked the Inspector General of Prisons to submit an explanation regarding allegations of gross violation in administrative affairs levelled against him.

The IG, Kokab Nadeem Warraich, was accused of transferring, postings and promoting officials beyond his authority.

It had been decided earlier that action would be taken against the IG under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006 on charges of misconduct and in-subordination, a Home Department official, requesting anonymity, said. “Seeking an explanation is just a way of hushing it up,” he said.

Since taking charge of his post in March last year, Warriach transferred and posted 19 DSPs in BS-17 and promoted two assistant superintendant of prisons in violation of Rules of Business, Punjab Civil Services Act, 1974 and Punjab Prison Rules 2010. According to rules, the IG is can only transfer or post assistant superintendent of prisons.

The Home Department repeatedly directed the IG Prisons to abstain from abusing authority “but Warraich still accommodated some blue-eyed officials in September,” the official maintained. The department then decided to submit a summary to the chief minister for approval to initiate departmental proceedings against the IG. “However now the department is just seeking an explanation,” the Home Department official added.

The department has reversed all the transfer, posting and promotion orders issued by the IG Prisons to “save his skin”, the official added.

Kokab Nadeem Warraich could not be contacted for comment.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2010.