ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali on Tuesday described the situation vis-a-vis appointments and promotions made in Sindh’s health department as alarming.

“What is going on in the province, to which I belong, is so alarming,” he said, adding that there should be some limit to nepotism and corruption in the province.

The chief justice made the observation while heading a three-judge Supreme Court bench that had taken up suo motu notice of illegal appointments, promotions and adjustments made without any advertisement or interview and on the basis of bogus skill certificates in the health department of Sindh.

Court assails arm-twisting of whistle-blowers

The suo motu notice was taken on a letter written by the Pakistan Paramedical Staff Association, Jacobabad, about 273 illegal appointments made by Dr Deedar Jamali, the health EDO for Jacobabad, on the basis of bogus academic and skill certificates and against the rules.

Visibly perturbed over the findings of an inquiry report submitted by Sindh’s advocate general, Zameer Ghumro, Chief Justice Jamali regretted that the provincial government apparently wanted to drag the matter for another two to three months. He and Justice Amir Hani Muslim, who also belongs to Sindh, will reach superannuation on Dec 30 and March 31, respectively.

The court, however, ordered Mohammad Usman Chachar, the provincial secretary for health services, to undo the suspension of at least three employees of Ghotki, including Abdul Ghani and Farman, who were transferred and their salaries frozen.

“If the salaries are not released by Wednesday and those involved are not suspended, the court will suspend you,” Justice Muslim said while pointing towards the secretary.

“You start twisting the arms of those who approach the court to highlight the wrongdoing of the government,” he added.

“It is unheard of that a provincial government will start taking action against those who come to the Supreme Court to point out corruption,” said Chief Justice Jamali.

Earlier, Sindh’s advocate general told the court that the committee constituted by the provincial government found Dr Jamali responsible for the “non-transparent recruitment procedure” and was subsequently suspended.

The committee ordered the recovery of the losses incurred by the national exchequer. The provincial accountant general was also asked to take disciplinary action against the treasury officer in Jacobabad over submission of incomplete information which caused hindrance to proper assessment in one of the areas of inquiry.

The committee recommended that services of the people appointed on bogus skill certificates be terminated and legal action be taken against the offenders for the recovery of salaries.

The case will again be taken up on Thursday.

Published in Dawn November 30th, 2016