Establishment Secretary undermined my authority: PM Gilani

Gilani defends decision to remove the Establishment Secretary.

ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Wednesday, defended his decision to remove the Establishment Secretary by saying that Sohail Ahmed had undermined his authority.

Gilani made these remarks during the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad.

Sohail Ahmed had restored a former FIA official Hussain Asghar on his post on Supreme Court orders.

Asghar, who was leading the Hajj scam investigation had been removed by the government but the court, ordered the Establishment Secretary to restore him, which he did.

However, the PM made him Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for violating the government rules, as the Establishment Secretary cannot transfer a Grade 21 employee.


Earlier The Chief Justice had asked the Attorney General (AGP) to meet with PM Gilani and submit a reply as to why the secretary establishment was made an OSD.

The hearing was adjourned till tomorrow.

The CJ had criticised Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Tehseen Shah for his non-serious attitude and directed him to follow court orders.

The director general informed the court that reinstatement orders of former investigator, Hussain Asghar, had been issued but he had not reported for duty as yet. He was then asked by the chief justice to submit a report regarding Asghar’s resumption of duty.

(Read: Hajj scam: SC seeks reply on OSD status of Secretary Establishment)

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