Daily Times

KARACHI: The female minister of the Sindh government has re-appointed a retired officer of the Social Welfare Department on six-month contract, against the orders of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, it is been learnt.

Sources have informed Daily Times that Sindh Minister for Social Welfare Shamim Mumtaz has re-appointed a retired officer namely Rehana Khatoon with her signature in BS-18 for a period of six months. “Rehana Khatoon got retired a few months ago on attaining the age of 60 years”.

The apex court had issued clear instructions that no official be re-appointed in any department on contract basis whatever the reason may be. However, Sindh Minister for Social Welfare Shamim Mumtaz has appointed a retired official on a senior position by her own signatures, sources added.

According to Rules of Business of the Sindh government, the elected minister/advisors can not sign on any official correspondence and the signing of an appointment order by the provincial minister is ‘illegal’ as BS-18 is a cadre post and it should only be filled through Sindh Public Service Commission.

Interestingly, Social Welfare Minister Shamim Mumtaz has also violated the ban imposed by the Services General Administration & Coordination Department through Notification No SO-II(S&GAD)3-36/2008 on May 8, 2008 on reemployment on contractal basis.

“In pursuance of the Cabinet decision held on April 29, 2008, the Government of Sindh is pleased to terminate the services of all re-employed from BS-1 to BS-22 with effect from 8.5.2008. It is therefore requested that all such re-employments on contract basis may be terminated with effect from 8.5.2008 from BS-1 to 22 in lieu of one month salary”, according to a notification available with Daily Times.

Daily Times repeatedly tried to contact Sindh Minister for Social Welfare Shamim Mumtaz for her official version however her cell phoned remained unattended.