Daily Times

The Islamabad High Court on Monday ruled a government notification null and void that dismissed Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) Chairperson Vadiyya Khalil.

IHC revoked another notification issued by the government to dismiss Muhammad Saleem and Dr Shehzad Ansari, two other members of the commission. The high court directed both members to resume their services.

IHC Judge Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb announced the verdict, stating that the government cannot dismiss officials without following the prescribed rules and procedures.

Khalil and other members of the commission who were dismissed had challenged the finance division’s notification which was issued on October 15, 2018.

The division’s decision came after the federal cabinet’s approval on October 4, 2018.

Khalil was appointed as the commission’s chairperson on October 14, 2017, for a term of three years. Ansari, Saleem were appointed on December 4, 2017 for a period of three years.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government’s then Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry had said that Khalil and other members of the commission had been appointed illegally.

Chaudhry had said that it had been decided to remove several high-level officials in banks and government departments as according to a Supreme Court decision, only the cabinet could appoint directors and heads of departments. This role had been unlawfully delegated to Ishaq Dar, the then-finance minister, by the previous PML-N government.

The officials dismissed from their posts include Saeed Ahmed, the president of National Bank of Pakistan; Tahira Raza, the president of First Women Bank; Syed Talat Mehmood, the president of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited; and Ehsanul Haq Khan, the president of SME Bank.

Besides, four other officials appointed during the PML-N’s tenure were also removed including Jameel Ahmed, the deputy governor of State Bank; Shamsul Hassan, the deputy governor of State Bank; Khalil, Saleem and Ansar of CCP.

Meanwhile, the IHC granted bail to 23 protesters detained for protesting against the arrest of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement leader Manzoor Pashteen.

MNA Mohsin Dawar and other activists had been taken into custody on January 28 when they were protesting against Manzoor Pashteen’s arrest.

Dawar was later released, but other protesters were booked under sedition charges.

The counsel for the petitioners had contended that the cases against his clients were “based on mala fide” intent.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the case and granted bail to the 23 activists, who mostly belong to PTM and the Awami Workers Party.

According to the written verdict of the court, the bail was granted subject to establishing “personal sureties/bonds to the satisfaction of the deputy registrar (judicial) of this court”.

The court, while ordering the relisting of the petition on February 11, stated that the Additional Sessions Judge seemingly exceeded jurisdiction by making negative observations against the suspects. The court said the observations violated the principles of fair trial.

According to the deputy commissioner and deputy inspector general of police, the clauses pertaining to sedition have now been removed from the FIR.

“The deputy commissioner, taking a fair stance, has sought adjournment and has assured that the matter will be reviewed in consultation with the Inspector General and the Investigating Officer in the light of principles and law enunciated by the august Supreme Court,” read the verdict.