QUETTA: The Baloch­istan High Court on Friday suspended the provincial government’s order for tra­nsfer of Culture and Tour­ism Secretary Muhammad Asghar Harifal.

Mr Harifal had challenged the transfer order in the BHC, alleging that he had been transferred by the secretary of Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) for refusing to accept “illegal orders” of the Balochistan government.

A division bench of the BHC comprising Chief Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Kamran Khan Mulahkhail suspended the transfer order and accepted Mr Harifal’s petition for a regular hearing.

The court issued a notice to the S&GAD secretary, asking him to appear before it at the next hearing.

Former advocate general for Balochistan Rauf Atta, appearing on behalf of the petitioner, argued that his client had been transferred before completing his tenure, which was not only against the Constitution but also a violation of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Anita Ayub case.

Chief Justice Mandokhail observed: “We are aware on which grounds the government makes transfers in bureaucracy. I personally know Asghar Harifal. He is a good officer.”

The chief justice regretted that the government did not give postings to those officers who understood the laws and regulations. “It is a big issue and unfortunately some officers are against each other.”

Advocate Rauf Atta informed the court that a summery about transfer of additional chief secretary of planning and development and finance secretary, who had been appointed on these posts very recently, was ready.

The court ordered the chief secretary and S&GAD secretary to furnish record of transfers and postings in view of rules and principle set by the apex court.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2021