The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday expressed concern over the appointment of Moheen-ud-Din Wani as Director General of Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) and adjourned the hearing until February 17.
During the course of the hearing, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, head of the three-bench judge of apex court remarked that it has become the habit of the government to de-seat eligible officials and depute junior officials on their slots. The government should take pity on education department.
He gave these remarks during the hearing of the petition filed by former FDE DG Dr Shahnaz Riaz for the payment of her dues. The petitioner informed the court that Ministry of CAAD was not paying her dues, adding that she had been transferred to another department and an official of the customs department had been deputed as FDE DG.
Justice Muslim further said in his remarks that the existing government claims to spend billions of rupees on education on one hand, while on other hands a non-qualified official from the customs department has been deputed as FDE DG.
He added that on the last hearing, the court had ordered Secretary CAAD to appear with a cheque for all the dues. Why has the secretary CAAD disobeyed the court orders? He asked.
Secretary CAAD Khalid Hanif, during the hearing assured the apex court that the notification of appointment for Moeen-ud-Din will be retracted by Tuesday and dues to the former DG would be paid in a couple of days.
The apex court also ordered the secretary CAAD to consider the name of former DG, Dr Shahnaz Riaz along with other names for the slot of DG FDE, and that dues are paid to former DG after verification of bills.