PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan has allowed creation of a temporary post and appointed a retired police officer as his chief security officer-II (CSO) despite a ban on creation of new positions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to sources.

They said that Amjad Ali Khan, a retired police officer, was appointed CSO by the former chief minister Mehmood Khan. They added that he continued to perform his duty after formation of the caretaker government in the province and retired from service on March 17.

The caretaker cabinet, while keeping in view the financial issues, imposed a ban on creation of new posts in the province. The ban was imposed through a letter issued on April 13 by the office of the then adviser to chief minister on finance. A copy of the letter is available with Dawn.

“Due to massive resources crunch/financial instability in the province, the adviser to caretaker chief minister KP on finance and energy and power has directed to impose a ban on creation of all kinds of new posts,” the letter said.

Retired police officer appointed on the newly-created position

However, only six days after the imposition of ban, the establishment department issued another notification on April 19 to appoint Amjad Ali Khan, who retired from services in March, as CSO-II, a newly-created temporary post by the finance department that had on April 13 imposed a ban on creation of new posts.

“The competent authority (caretaker chief minister) is pleased to appoint Amjad Ali Khan as CSO-II to chief minister KP against a temporary post, created by finance department on April 19 on contract basis with effect from March 18 for a period of one year or till the pleasure of the caretaker chief minister,” said the letter issued on April 19.

The officials of finance department, when contacted, said that the notification on April 19 was issued following a waiver of the notification issued on April 13 by the competent authority. They added that it was a supernumerary post and the contract could be terminated anytime.

“The caretaker chief minister gave a waiver and Amjad Ali Khan has been appointed on contract basis as CSO-II,” Finance Secretary Ayaz Khan told Dawn. He added that the appointment was only possible after a waiver by the competent authority, referring to the chief minister.

He said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a judgment had imposed a ban on reinstatement of services but the CSO-II appointment was contract-based for one year or till the pleasure of the caretaker chief minister. “This contracted can be terminated any time,” said the finance secretary.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2023