Controversial appointment: Court seeks reply from PM, petroleum secretary
Petitioner claims grade 19 official was re-employed in violation of rules.
ISLAMABAD:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a reply from the prime minister, secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, and other officials over the alleged illegal reappointment of Muhammad Nazir Malik as a consultant in the ministry after his retirement.
Dr Shamsud Din, a scientist at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, had petitioned the court to declare Malik’s reappointment as a consultant (legal) in the ministry’s Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) as illegal and void ab initio.
On November 25, IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi had sought replies from all the respondents within 15 days.
The petitioner, through his counsel Sardar Muhammad Ghazi, stated that Muhammad Nazir Malik retired from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources as director (law) in BPS-19 on September 30 at the age of superannuation but was reemployed in the garb of a consultant (legal). He has been reappointed on a contract for two years with a monthly remuneration of Rs150,000 in HDIP.
“He is being paid Rs0.1 million by the HDIP and Rs50,000 by petroleum concession director general from its training fund for providing assistance to the Directorate General (Gas) in legal matters,” the petitioner maintained, adding that paying a salary from two offices was against the guidelines for appointment of consultants.
“Under the given policy, reemployment beyond the age of superannuation in public interest, in all cases, requires the approval of the prime minister,” the petition read.
He claimed the appointment was illegal since the prime minister has not approved the summary.
The petitioner further claimed that the respondent has no legal expertise, as he has been working in management roles in the ministry.
“Neither has he carried out judicial work nor is he a practicing lawyer. Therefore, his appointment as consultant (legal) is illegal,” the petitioner said.
The petitioner, who had also applied to head the HDIP, claimed Malik is a hurdle in his appointment.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2014.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a reply from the prime minister, secretary Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, and other officials over the alleged illegal reappointment of Muhammad Nazir Malik as a consultant in the ministry after his retirement.
Dr Shamsud Din, a scientist at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, had petitioned the court to declare Malik’s reappointment as a consultant (legal) in the ministry’s Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) as illegal and void ab initio.
On November 25, IHC Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi had sought replies from all the respondents within 15 days.
The petitioner, through his counsel Sardar Muhammad Ghazi, stated that Muhammad Nazir Malik retired from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources as director (law) in BPS-19 on September 30 at the age of superannuation but was reemployed in the garb of a consultant (legal). He has been reappointed on a contract for two years with a monthly remuneration of Rs150,000 in HDIP.
“He is being paid Rs0.1 million by the HDIP and Rs50,000 by petroleum concession director general from its training fund for providing assistance to the Directorate General (Gas) in legal matters,” the petitioner maintained, adding that paying a salary from two offices was against the guidelines for appointment of consultants.
“Under the given policy, reemployment beyond the age of superannuation in public interest, in all cases, requires the approval of the prime minister,” the petition read.
He claimed the appointment was illegal since the prime minister has not approved the summary.
The petitioner further claimed that the respondent has no legal expertise, as he has been working in management roles in the ministry.
“Neither has he carried out judicial work nor is he a practicing lawyer. Therefore, his appointment as consultant (legal) is illegal,” the petitioner said.
The petitioner, who had also applied to head the HDIP, claimed Malik is a hurdle in his appointment.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2014.