ISLAMABAD, Sept 10: The People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) has called for a debate, and the government’s point of view, in the Senate on what it said the systematic undermining of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). In a press statement, the party said a call attention notice was submitted to the upper house by Senator Farhatullah Babar on Saturday to “draw attention of the government to a matter of sufficient public importance involving the undermining of the FPSC.”

Identifying the incidents of undermining the FPSC, the mover said, “the Federal Public Service Commission chairman publicly stated on August 4 that the government had blatantly violated all rules and norms in making contract appointments.”

An ordinance was promulgated on August 27, just two days before the National Assembly session, to slash the tenure of the chairman and the members from five to three years with back- dated effect.

A delay was made in laying the FPSC 2003 annual report before the parliament even though the report had been lying with the presidency for the last 10 months.

Besides, the appointment of two more members of the FPSC just when the Lahore High Court had admitted a constitutional petition challenging the new ordinance indicated a systematic onslaught on the Federal Public Service Commission, eroding its authority, gravely undermining the process and procedures of appointment in public service, said Mr Babar in the notice.

The Senate has already been summoned to meet on September 13.

Under the rules, Mr Babar said, two clear days of notice was required to be given for a call attention notice. The rules require the minister in charge to explain the government position on the issue after a general debate.