KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has issued notices to provincial authorities on a petition impugning the appointment of two senior officials of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation.

An employee of the water utility petitioned the SHC and stated that Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Syed Salahudddin Ahmed and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Asadullah Khan of KWSC were appointed in violation of relevant laws.

Citing the chief secretary, local government secretary, KWSC through its board of directors, CEO and COO as respondents, petitioner Mohammad Karman Khan submitted that he was serving in the water utility and seeking to ensure that public offices were occupied in accordance with law.

He alleged that the appointments in question were based upon favouritism and nepotism as both the posts were unlawfully created.

He questioned various provisions of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation Act, 2023 and contended that the posts of CEO and COO were neither created nor recruitment rules were framed in accordance with law.

The petitioner argued that the appointments in question were made without fulfilling the prescribed selection procedure and transparency.

He claimed that Sections 11, 15 and 49(2)(c) of the KWSC Act, 2023 were ultra vires of the Constitution as the same were person specific and liable to be struck down.

The petitioner asked the SHC to declare the appointments in question illegal and unconstitutional as well as the provisions concerned of the KWSC Act, 2023 of no legal effect.

He also sought an interim restraining order to suspend the notifications, issued on Sept 30, 2022 in respect of the appointment of CEO and COO.

After a preliminary hearing, a two-judge bench headed by Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput issued pre-admission notices to the respondents as well as advocate general for a date to be fixed later by office of the court.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2024