KARACHI, Jan 27: The Federal Service Tribunal directed an appellant, former college principal, on Thursday to send a copy of the writ petition moved by him in the Sindh High Court to the prime minister for appropriate orders.

Prof Abdul Razzak Memon was posted as principal of the Dawood College of Engineering and Technology when he proceeded abroad on study leave. He did not return to Pakistan on the expiry of leave and a notice under Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000, was issued to him.

The proceedings culminated in his dismissal by an order passed by the competent authority, the prime minister, in March 2003. He moved the high court but withdrew his writ petition in August 2004 and approached the FST.

Appearing before the tribunal, his counsel M. Nawaz Shaikh submitted that his petition in the high court should have been treated as a departmental representation or a review petition before the prime minister as held by the Supreme Court in a recent case.

As for the period of limitation, he said the appellant learnt of his dismissal on Aug 26, 2004, when an order to the effect was produced in the high court in the course of proceedings on his petition.