ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: Islamabad High Court (IHC) admitted for regular hearing a petition challenging the re-appointment of Khalid Javaid as executive director, Lok Virsa and notices were issued to the respondents including three federal secretaries.

Athar Rasul, Director, Lok Virsa maintained in his petition that Khalid Javaid retired on Aug 31 2011 but he did not relinquish the charge blocking his way to get promoted to the position of executive director. He said it was unfair that tradition and legal course were ignored in the case of Khalid Javaid.

He contended in his petition that Mr Javaid was re-appointed on contract basis on Sept 29 2011 after his retirement in contravention of the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruling of Jan 27 2011.

“He has been reappointed as Executive Director, Lok Virsa vide notification No 1/79/2011-E-6 dated 29-09-2011,” the petition said.

The petition filed through Ali Jamal Salis Khawaja, Advocate, sought annulment of the re-employment of Khalid Javaid after his retirement from government service on the ground that the re-employment order was violation of the Supreme Court's ruling.

The apex court had laid down guidelines, principles, and criteria in its order dated 27-01 2O11 in the suo motu Case No 24 of 2010.

IHC issued notices to the three federal secretaries including Secretary Establishment Division, Secretary Information and Broadcasting and Secretary National Heritage.

The petition also alleged that Mr Javaid was involved in serious malpractices and irregularities including unlawful induction of certain persons mostly women on regular posts in Lok Virsa without following government rules and regulations.

Athar Rasul said traditionally the acting charge of Executive Director (ED) was transferred to the director Lok Virsa during the interim period till the new ED is appointed.

“However Mr Javaid continued to hold office and enjoy facilities till Sept 29 2011, despite the fact that he retired on Aug 31 2011 and the formal retirement notification was issued to him on Sept 13 2011,” the petition said.

The petitioner also referred to the statement made by prime minister on the floor of the Parliament expressing commitment that merit would be observed in all the promotions and appointments and that no extensions would be given to the government officers.

The petition has also highlighted the past practices of promotions in Lok Virsa and said that the directors were promoted to the position of executive director in the recent past after the retirement of the head of the Lok Virsa.

It said that in 2007, when Uxi Mufti retired as Executive Director, Mazhar ul Islam who was director, Lok Virsa at that time was appointed executive director.

After the retirement of Mazhar ul Haq, the then director Khalid Javaid was appointed executive director.

Athar Rasul said that the reappointment of Mr Javaid was injustice and impinged on the right of senior officers of Lok Virsa.