MUZAFFARABAD: The AJK High Court here on Monday restrained the government from removing secretary trade and industries Mohammad Akram Sohail from his post allegedly at the behest of a cabinet member.

The order was however subject to objections by the government which has been asked to furnish them before or by May 26, the next date of hearing.

Mr Sohail had filed a writ of prohibition through his counsel after the government sent a summary to the chief secretary’s office, proposing his placement in the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) as Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

He maintained that he was being victimised because he had opposed and subsequently got cancelled the “unlawful” auction of precious stones by Azad Kashmir Mineral and Industrial Development Corporation (AKMIDC) in Kashmir House Islamabad some two weeks ago.

Furthermore, he had also raised questions about the ownership of the commodity, something which had not gone well with the minister concerned following which the summary for his removal was approved by the prime minister without any justification.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2014