The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday directed the Attorney General, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) secretary and Secretary Ports and Shipping to submit within two weeks the government’s stance over illegal appointments in the Port Qasim Authority.
A two-member bench of the apex court comprising of acting Chief Justice (CJ) Tassaduq Hussain Jillani and Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk heard a suo motu case about 686 illegal appointments from grade 2 to 21 made in the PQA by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and other organizations, and a petition of sacked secretary of PQA Abdul Jabbar Memon challenging his removal.
No respondents were present in the SC except the petitioner Jabbar.
Petitioner Jabbar told the SC that more than 250 new appointments had been recently made in the PQA from grade 2 to grade 19, despite the clear orders of the apex court and this matter was falling into the category of contempt of court.
He added that further extension had been granted to the Chairman PQA Rear Admiral (retired) Muhammad Shafi, while his appointment was already a dubious matter.
He said that he was transferred to Malir Development Authority on the post of director without his consent and the Sindh government was not providing him the due perks and privileges associated with the post.
He requested the sitting bench to form a larger bench as the matter was of public importance.
The SC stated that the CJ had the jurisdiction regarding formation of a larger bench and the SC would consider the request after an application was filed in this regard.
The petitioner told the SC that Mehmood Zamir Faqooqi who was the brother-in-law of Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Faheem was appointed in the PQA and then transferred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) as Deputy Director. He further said that he was suspended for opposing Mehmood Zameer Farooqi’s selection in breach of rules, adding that this was in violation of the Federal Employment Rules and Regulations.
In its orders, the SC had already declared that majority of these appointments were made from specific constituencies and these appointments should be declared illegal while a new advertisement should be taken out in this regard.
Furthermore, the court had already noted that 90 percent of the 686 people appointed in PQA were from two constituencies of Karachi and their appointments were against the provincial and regional quota and against the law and merit policy.
Petitioner Jabbar also told the SC that his wife was suffering from cancer and her life was in danger, adding that she had not been shifted to the hospital despite the orders of the chief secretary.
Later, the SC issued notices to the Attorney General, Secretary PQA Establishment Division secretary and secretary Ports and Shipping and Counsel, the Ministry of Ports and Shipping Anwar Mansoor Khan to submit within two weeks a report over the illegal appointments made in the PQA.
Subsequently, the SC adjourned the hearing of the case for two weeks.
