ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to proceed against its senior officer expelled from a mid-career management course (MCMC) by the National School of Public Policy (NSPP) on the charge of cheating in an online exam.

The NSPP, a government educational institute for civil bureaucracy, impart necessary training to government officers before their promotion to the next grade.

NSPP earlier issued a show-cause notice to Iftikhar Ali Haideri, a grade 18 officer undergoing an MCMC course, for allegedly using unfair means to get the exam passed. Perhaps it is for the first time that the institution has expelled an under-training officer on the charge of cheating.

Mr Haideri, director Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate, approached the IHC against his expulsion from NSPP. When IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that the allegation against the petitioner might be probed, he sought withdrawal of the petition.

Disaster management unit official was expelled by National School of Public Policy on charge of cheating in exam

However, the IHC chief justice ordered the CDA chairman to hold an inquiry to prove the allegations levelled by the NSPP.

The order sheet issued by the court stated: “The petitioner is holding a senior post in CDA. National School of Public Policy is an educational institution, and therefore, presumption of regularity and sanctity is attached to its findings and decisions.”

The court noted: “The alleged acts attributed to the petitioner by a reputable and credible educational/training institution are of a serious nature. The chairman CDA is therefore directed to cause an inquiry relating to the letters dated Nov 20, 2020, and Dec 2, 2020. A departmental inquiry would also meet the requirements of due process and veracity or otherwise of the acts/omissions mentioned in the impugned letters.”

The court sought a report from the CDA chairman and adjourned further hearing to Dec 21.

As per details of the case, due to Covid-19 NSPP conducted online exams for officers. Mr Haideri took 92 and 82 per cent marks in two subjects. However, on suspicion of cheating and using unfair means the NSPP asked him to repeat the exams under an invigilator.

The officer was given a one-time excuse for being infected with Covid-19. However, when he skipped the exam for the second time, the administration of NSPP issued him a show-cause notice, stating his conduct proved that he had used unfair means to pass the exams. Subsequently, he was expelled from the MCMC.

Mr Haideri took the plea before the IHC that he was condemned unheard.

His counsel Umair Baloch told the court that NSPP did not adopt a proper procedure before expelling him. He even said the letters to his client were issued without affording a reasonable opportunity of hearing.

Talking to Dawn, the counsel said Mr Haideri had already filed an application for withdrawal of the petition which had been accepted by the IHC.

He said the CDA cannot proceed against his client since after withdrawal of the petition, the matter has become infructuous.

Published in Dawn, December 13th, 2020