The Supreme Court on Friday gave caretaker Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso time till June 6 to submit his response in a contempt notice issued against him and other senior officers for violating one of its judgments.
Earlier, a three–judge bench headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja had observed that the premature transfer and posting of at least 20 senior government officers violated the apex court’s judgment in the Anita Turab case.
The bench had taken notice of the transfer and posting by the caretaker government of 20 senior officers, including Imtiaz Inayat Elahi, on a petition filed by senior bureaucrat Shafqat Hussain Naghmi.
Besides the competent authority (caretaker prime minister), notices under Section 3 of the Contempt of the Court Ordinance 2003, read with article 204 of the Constitution, were also issued to Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Khawaja Siddiq Akbar and Establishment Secretary Taimur Azmat Usman.
The same bench resumed the hearing of the contempt notice issued against the caretaker premier.
During the hearing, Justice Khawaja remarked that the case was of an individual nature, adding that the notice was issued to Khoso, caretaker prime minister at the time.
Moreover, Justice Khawaja said the court did not require Khoso to make a personal appearance before the bench.
However, the caretaker premier may be asked to appear if there was a need after the submission of his response.
Petitioner Naghmi said his transfer from the position of industries secretary to the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) was a move influenced by Akbar and Usman, adding that they should also be asked to submit their responses on the matter.
Elahi, who was another official affected as a result of the transfer and posting, said corrupt personnel enjoyed key positions in the government.
The court subsequently adjourned the hearing to June 6.