PHC reserves judgment on Lakki Marwat DEO

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court has reserved its judgment in a case involving illegal appointments made in the education department in Lakki Marwat by former executive district education officer Noor Hassan.

Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Musarat Hilali heard a bail application filed by Hassan’s lawyer, Sardar Ali Raza. Hassan is currently under judicial remand.

During the hearing, Raza asked the bench to grant bail to his client. The attorney said Hassan was charged for making illegal appointments in the department without advertising vacancies. Raza said the allegations against Hassan were baseless and insisted the appointments had been approved by the district selection committee. “All members of the committee signed the appointment order,” he added.

Raza also produced the order before the court. “National Accountability Bureau has only arrested the DEO, but did not arrest any other member of the committee,” said Raza. “My client has retired from service.

Then or now?

Additional Prosecutor General Umar Farooq Adam defended NAB’s enquiry, saying they were still receiving complaints from teachers who claimed their rights had been violated. “The appointments were made in violation of rules in all cadres.”

Adam added the last advertisement was published on May 11, 2005 while the list of people produced before the bench is from 2009. When asked if Hassan appointed any of his relatives in the department. Adam said he had appointed his daughter, Naila Hassan, in sheer violation of rules.

He said the selection committee’s report was not authentic as he said it had been prepared on some other date.

No space for merit

“Where will our youth go after completing their studies if they do not get jobs on merit?” questioned Adam. The bench asked Adam whether NAB has investigated the matter or issued a notice to any members of the selection committee. He informed the bench investigation was under way. After hearing the arguments, the bench reserved its judgement in the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2015.