Fighting for the job: Tando Muhammad Khan deputy commissioner challenges removal

HYDERABAD:

The former deputy commissioner of the Tando Muhammad Khan district has challenged his removal from his post on the alleged recommendation of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

On Wednesday, the Sindh High Court's Hyderabad Circuit Bench took up petition of the ex-DC, Syed Ghazanfar Ali Shah, issuing notices to the respondents for October 8.

The petitioner's counsel, Ayaz Hussain Tunio, informed the court that Shah was posted in Tando Muhammad Khan on August 19, taking the charge from Agha Abdul Raheem the next day. However, on August 27, the ECP issued a notification substituting Muhammad Iqbal Memon, a member of the judicial Board of Revenue, with Raheem as district returning officer.

Two weeks later, on September 11, the petitioner was removed from the post, which was given back to Raheem who was already performing the duty of the DRO. "Agha Abdul Raheem may be allowed to function as the DRO but the notification of my transfer [from the post of DC] from TM Khan should be cancelled," Shah said in his petition.

Through a notification on August 3, the ECP banned the transfer and postings of DROs, ROs and civil servants without prior approval from the ECP. Shah maintained that Raheem's status was not of the DRO at the time of his replacement with the petitioner.

The SHC ordered the Sindh chief secretary, services and general administration secretary, the ECP, the provincial election commissioner and regional election commissioner Hyderabad to submit their replies on October 8. The LG elections are scheduled for November 19.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1^st, 2015.