ISLAMABAD: The Sup­reme Judicial Council (SJC) headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan will meet on Mon­day to receive evidence both in favour and against the Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana.

Mr Rana is facing charges of impropriety.

If the charges are proved, Mr Rana will be removed from a tenured constitutional position disgracefully; if not, he is likely to complete his four-year term in August this year.

The National Assembly Secretariat and Irfan Jahan­gir Wattoo, a junior officer, have filed separate references against the AGP, seeking his removal from the position. Clubbing the two references, the SJC asked them to appear before the council on Monday with affidavits and documentary evidence to establish allegations they have filed against the AGP.

Charges against Mr Rana include financial impropriety and abuse of power for personal benefits. Mr Rana will be present on the occasion to defend his position against the charges which, he claims, are unfounded.

Under Article 168(2) of the Constitution, the auditor general, who is administered the oath by the chief justice because his/her office is a constitutional one, can only be removed by invoking SJC under Article 209 of the Constitution, just like judges of the Supreme Court.

Mr Rana has been accused of receiving of Rs4.7 million in excess salary and other privileges. After investigating the case at the PAC level, the NA Secretariat sent a reference to the SJC. Mr Wattoo has framed similar charges against his boss.

Published in Dawn January 12th , 2014

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play