Both the treasury and opposition senators have opposed the amendment in Civil Servant Act 2013, calling it a move by the government to allegedly pave way for the appointment of “a blue-eyed” in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
The controversy began after news surfaced that the government was considering appointing Rana Bhagwandas, former Supreme Court judge, as the head of the ECP.
After developing consensus in the National Assembly (NA) over the Act’s amendment, it was sent to the Upper House of parliament.
When the Civil Servant Amendment Act 2013 was presented in the Upper House, Senator Ghulam Ali said that no violation of rule should be made in the legislation process, adding that this bill had been presented in parliament to pave the way for Rana Bhagwandas to be the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).
ANP Senator Zahid Khan said the incumbent government had appointed Fakhrudin G Ebrahim the CEC, making the elections controversial. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and FATA are being neglected in share of vital government posts and merit-based appointments are not made, he said.
Khan further said that chief of army staff used to be selected from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa however this time, rules had been trampled. Appointments in courts, National Accountability Bureau and PSC had not been made on merit, he added.
ANP Senator Haji Adeel said, “We do not have any personal enmity with Bhagwandas but we will not allow his appointment through an illegal procedure.”
Senators Abdul Haseeb, Saeed Iqbal and Abdul Raoof also opposed the bill advising that it be forwarded to the standing committee concerned.
Leader of the Upper House Raja Zafar responded to the dissenting views of both the government and the opposition senators saying that he respected the viewpoints but if there were any drawbacks in the bill then these should be removed and then it should be sent to the concerned standing committee for further consideration.
The bill was sent to the concerned standing committee for consideration.