Another politico-legal controversy has emerged between the government and the chief adjudicator of the country over the appointment of Rana Buland Akhtar as the auditor general of Pakistan (AGP), as the latter has formally asked the president to reconsider the decision by considering the allegations against the appointee.
A few days ago, the government approached the chief justice of Pakistan to administer oath to Rana Buland Akhtar as the auditor general of Pakistan, however, the chief justice wrote a letter to President Zardari on August 25, a copy of which was sent to the prime minister and finance secretary as well, seeking consideration of the charges against the appointee before making a final decision.
Article 168 (2) of the constitution states, “Before entering upon office, the auditor general shall make before the chief justice of Pakistan oath in the form set out in third schedule.” Being a constitutional position, the new auditor general has to take oath administered by the CJP. The president, on the advice of the PM, had approved Akhtar’s appointment as the AGP.
In his letter to the president, the CJP said may be he (the president) was not apprised about the allegations that Akhtar was facing prior to getting the approval for his appointment. The letter said the office of the AGP was a constitutional post and once a person was appointed to this post, he could only be removed under Article 209. The letter mentioned seven serious allegations levelled against Akhtar.
These include attaining Canadian nationality without the government’s approval, visiting abroad without the government’s permission, holding three Pakistani passports and two national identity cards simultaneously and sexual harassment of his subordinate females during service. Besides, Akhtar been accused of not being eligible to be promoted to grade 22.
He is also facing allegations of leveling false charges against former auditor general of Pakistan in the Supreme Judicial Council.
