KARACHI, Nov 17: The Sindh Service Tribunal reinstated two government employees and set aside the demotion of the third on Thursday. Allowing an appeal moved by Pir Maqsood Hussain Sarhandi, former deputy director of food posted at Larkana, an SST bench comprising its chairman, Justice Abdul Ghani Shaikh, and members Mohammad Ayub Shaikh and Mohammad Mohsin Qureshi observed that the appellant was proceeded against under the 1973 efficiency and discipline rules, which have been superseded by the Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000.

The government was allowed to institute a fresh inquiry into the allegations against the appellant in accordance with the new law within two months. An identical order was passed on another appeal moved by Hafeezullah Shaikh, assistant engineer, highways department, without going into the merits of the case. Both were dismissed on corruption charges.

Accepting the appeal moved by Syed Fazil Shah Kazmi, former director of the Sindh Arid Zone Development Authority (Sazda), the tribunal set aside his demotion from grade 20 to 19. He was exonerated by the departmental inquiry but demoted by the Sazda director-general, who acted both as judge and prosecutor.

The appellants were represented by Advocate Mohammad Nawaz Shaikh.