ISLAMABAD, June 7 The government has yet to take action against Petroleum Secretary Kamran Lashari, who was reprimanded by the Supreme Court last week.
The apex court in its judgment on Friday held that Mr Lashari had violated several constitutional provisions, CDA Ordinance, 1960, and other rules and regulations in granting lease of government land to a private company (M/S Siza Foods) for 33 years at a very cheap rate.
The court ordered initiation of disciplinary action against him.
Once the powerful chairman of Capital Development Authority, Mr Lashari has been continuing in his position as the petroleum secretary in spite of the verdict.
“We are waiting for a formal delivery of the apex's court detailed judgment, after which it will be decided what actions could be taken against Mr Lashari,” Establishment Secretary Ismail Qureshi said. “It's too early to say anything about the future of the federal secretary.”
Given the judgment of the Supreme Court, the government had no other option but to act against Mr Lashari, a senior government official said, adding that otherwise the judiciary-executive discord would worsen.
Considering the special treatment which Mr Lashari had received during the previous regime, the present government would think twice before putting up a defence for him, the official added.
The Supreme Court in its ruling said “A perusal of the documents made available to the court abundantly makes it clear that Mr Kamran Lashari, the former Chairman of CDA, in violation of the constitutional provisions, CDA Ordinance, 1960, as well as other rules and regulations on the subject granted lease for 33 years of government land at a very nominal lease money to M/S Siza Foods in a non-transparent manner, undoubtedly, with the connivance of other officials of the CDA.”
Therefore, the judgment said “They all deserve to be dealt with strictly for misconduct, departmentally as well as by instituting both civil and criminal actions against them, so that it may serve as a deterrent for like-minded persons, who discharge their duties/functions without adhering to the relevant provisions of the constitution and the law.
“Such an action has become necessary with a view to avoiding in future violation of any provision of the constitution and the law.”
