16 February 2004	Monday	24 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 15: The Sindh High Court dismissed on Friday a writ petition moved by a former chief controller of buildings of the Karachi Building Control Authority for a fresh posting in the authority commensurate with his grade (BPS-20).

Rauf Akhtar Farooqui submitted that he joined the KBCA as an assistant controller in grade 17 soon after its establishment under the Sindh Building Control Ordinance in 1979 after doing his graduation in engineering.

He was promoted to grade 18 on the basis of seniority and competence in 1984. Another promotion in 1990 inducted him to grade 19 and, finally, he was appointed chief controller of buildings in grade 20 in 1994.

Subsequently, an inquiry was instituted against him and he was suspended from service. The petitioner submitted that he was exonerated by the inquiry and ordered to be reinstated in service by the higher authorities.

The KBCA was asked by the chief executive's office to give him an assignment in keeping with his grade, qualifications and experience. He remains an officer on special duty despite the inquiry's findings and the CE office's directives, Mr Farooqui stated.

Contesting the petition, KBCA counsel Shahid Jamil Khan submitted that the petitioner was getting all facilities and privileges permissible to a grade-20 officer in the authority.

He said he was among 29 KBCA officers sacked in 1996. But he was reinstated soon after his exoneration from charges. He has been assigned the most importance work in the KBCA in view of his experience. However, there was only one grade 20 posts in the KBCA, which was held by its CE and chief controller and was not vacant.