KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday brushed aside the impression that the police chief had been sent on forced leave and also lodged his protest against the solo decision of the prime minister to ignore provincial government’s input by placing the regulatory authorities under the control of ministries.

The chief minister said that it was the Council of Common Interests (CCI) that had the power to place regulatory authorities under the control of ministries, but the prime minister surprisingly ignored input of the provincial governments and took this decision.

“I will take up this issue with the prime minister. Right now I am recording my protest through the media,” said the chief minister while talking to journalists after an award ceremony at the NED University of Engineering and Technology.

IG Police A.D. Khowaja has not been sent on forced leave, says CM

Mr Shah said that the transfer of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to the ministry concerned had been placed on the agenda of the CCI meeting. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had opposed the move in writing while Sindh had also expressed serious reservations, therefore it was not taken up. “Today, I have learnt that five regulatory authorities, including OGRA, PTA, FAB and PPRA, have been transferred and given under the administrative control of relevant ministries,” he said.

“When a ministry would control a regulatory authority how it would be able to regulate its assignment/functions independently,” he said. Instead of approaching the regulatory authority, all complainants after this decision would go to courts to get their grievances redressed, he said, adding that this decision would indulge people and institutions towards litigation.

The CM said: “Through the media, I record my protest against the decision and will also write a letter to the prime minister against the decision.” Replying to a question, the chief minister brushed aside the impression of sending Sindh IG A.D. Khowaja on forced leave, explaining that he had applied for leave that was approved. As far as the issue of transfer and posting of officers was concerned, it was the prerogative of the provincial government, said Mr Shah. “The officers who are promoted to Grade 21 are competent enough. I don’t promote them but the selection board recommends their promotions and [they] are approved by the prime minister,” he said.

Referring to the provincial higher education commission, Mr Shah said he was going to make it more effective. “It is a new body and there are some issues with the federal government on the provincial HEC for which I am seeking advice of other provinces. This organisation will be made functional and effective and will play important role in the promotion of higher education in the province,” he said, claiming that he would make all-out efforts to take Sindh’s share from the federal HEC.

In reply to a question about Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, he said: “Let him say whatever he says about me, my government or our party. I don’t have much time to waste in unproductive issues.”

Earlier, the NED University had organised a ceremony of awarding distinguished alumnus award to the chief minister who had done his Bachelors of Engineering (BE) in civil from there.

The vice chancellor of NED University presented him the award.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2016