KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday issued notices to the chief secretary, the Sindh Public Service Commission and other respondents on a petition challenging the selection and recommendation of a candidate for the post of registrar of the Sindh Environmental Protection Tribunal (SEPT).

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Mohammad Shafi Siddiqui issued notices to the chief secretary, the principal secretary to the chief minister, the chairman of the SPSC and others for July 25.

The petitioner, Dilshad Ahmed, through his lawyer Farhat Ullah submitted that the petitioner was a deputy registrar (BPS-18) in the environmental tribunal and he was entrusted with additional duty of looking after the work of vacant post of registrar (BPS-19) as in-charge registrar, adding that the petitioner had also applied for the post of registrar in the Sindh Environment Protection Tribunal.

However, he contended that the SPSC had recommended the name of Abida Parveen Pathan for the post of registrar and claimed that she concealed material facts while obtaining the recommendation.

The petitioner further alleged that earlier National Commission for Human Development was the parent department of Ms Pathan and she had worked in the Benazir Income Support Programme on deputation and during this period she was accused of alleged corruption and embezzlement.

He contended that the selection and recommendation of Ms Pathan for the post of registrar of the SEPT by the SPSC was in complete disregard to merit and eligibility and pleaded to declare the selection and recommendation illegal and sought direction for the respondents to conduct recruitment proceedings de novo to select and recommend name of most fit and suitable candidate on basis of merit.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2019