LAHORE, March 26: The Lahore High Court referred on Tuesday the conflicting claims of two federal government departments to the attorney-general for resolution within two months.

The dispute arose from the petition of an accounts clerk of the Pakistan Post office against his transfer. The Post Office said the clerk being an employee of the postal department, his service, posting and transfer were controlled by it.

The newly-created office of the controller-general of accounts said the employees of all government departments working in their accounts sections fell under its control and jurisdiction. They could only be transferred by it.

The post office said only provincial accounts chiefs of the various departments were under the superintendence of the controller-general’s office and that too insofar matters relating to broad policy guidelines were concerned.

Deputy Attorney-General Khwaja Saeeduz Zafar offered to assist the court in resolving the issue by interpretation of the relevant statute but Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said it was preferable to refer the matter to the attorney-general as one counsel might not be able to duly represent two departments.