ISLAMABAD: (APP) The Supreme Court on Thursday restrained all four provincial chief ministers (CMs) to appoint assistant commissioners (ACs) on quota system.
The bench remarked that how Civil Service Act can be by passed during the appointment of officers. The court suspended the authority of chief ministers in this regard and remarked that chief minister cannot exercise its power under West Pakistan Civil Service Branch Rules 1964.
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The three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim and comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Manzoor Malik heard the case.
During the course of proceedings, Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked that according to West Pakistan Rules 1964, the chief minister had the power to appoint Assistant Commissioner which was suspended by the apex court.
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The court directed the chief ministers to appoint assistant commissioners on merit and through commission.
Discussing the issue of appointments on deputation in Sindh, Siddique Memon Chief Secretary Sindh informed that the provincial government had repatriated Shafqat Mughal and Zahid Shah to their parent departments in light of the court directions.
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Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked that there should be no political interference in the appointments of bureaucracy.
Later, hearing of the case was adjourned till date in office.