ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the federal and provincial governments not to reemploy officers on contract after their retirement. The court observed that prima facie their reemployment is in violation of Section 14 of Civil Servant Act 1873 as well as instruction contained in Estacode.
The court also said that their reemployment will be in violation of SC orders. The court asked the attorney general to take up this matter with the competent authorities before the next hearing and to assure that no such employment has been made, adding that to establish rule of law, relevant provisions should be followed in letter and spirit.
It also said that violation of law was also tantamount to blocking the promotion of junior officers. The court noted that same principle should also be employed in other departments as well. An 8-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary, Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday was hearing irregularities in the Haj arrangements.
During the hearing, Attorney General Anwarul Haq also presented a list of 9 officers posted, particularly in police and FIA, who are on contract after their retirement. Justice Khosa said that the interest of political masters should not be served. The court rejected FIA’s report regarding investigation of Haj corruption, saying there were many flaws in it due to improper investigation.
Attorney General Anwarul Haq placed new notification according to which Syed Jawed Ali Shah Bukhari (BS-21) has authority to conduct the investigation in the case freely FIA ADG Javed Hussain Bukhari informed the court that Hussain Asghar is in Saudi Arabia for conducting an investigation. The court directed the FIA to submit weekly progress report about the case and adjourned the hearing till February 10.
