ISLAMABAD: The case of appointment of an authorised officer to investigate former BS-21 information officer Rao Tehseen Ali Khan, made officer on special duty (OSD) in the aftermath of Dawnleaks, is lingering on as the Establishment Division has failed to propose a panel of officers to Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
According to sources, despite the passage of four months, the Establishment Division could not propose the panel of officers to the PM for initiating inquiry against Tehseen. It is important to mention here that Rao Tehseen Ali Khan was made OSD in Dawnleaks case on April 29.
According to the Establishment Division instructions, the PM was the competent authority to appoint an authorised officer to initiate disciplinary proceeding against BS-21 officer under the Government Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) rules 1973.
Sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the Establishment Division and the Ministry of Information have held discussions regarding this case at least three or four times in the past, but both had failed to exercise any flexibility to come up with a solution.
The Establishment Division was asked to provide the charge sheet against the above-mentioned officer so that the department could send the summary to the PM for the appointment of an authorised officer. On the other hand, the information ministry was unable to provide the charge sheet against Tehseen.
It is worth mentioning here that the PM had designated Commerce Division Secretary Younus Dagha (PAS/BS-22) as authorised officer to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Tehseen. However, Dhaga had expressed his inability to act as an authorised officer against Tehseen, as according to him, the OSD was his close aide and it would be difficult for him to handle his case in an unbiased manner.
It is pertinent to mention here that former information officer Rao Tehseen was among the officials who were sacked on April 29 in the wake of the investigation into publication of a controversial news story in a private newspaper regarding a national security meeting.
Khan had challenged his suspension in Islamabad High Court and prayed before the court to provide him an inquiry report.
While talking to Pakistan Today, Establishment Division spokesman Dr Waqar said that the Ministry of Information did not sent the complete case to the Establishment Division, adding that once we get the charge sheet against Tehseen, the department would propose the name to the PM for appointment of an authorised officer in the case.