ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on Thursday stayed the recruitment process for the member oil of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), after a candidate challenged the re-advertising of the post.

The re-advertising of the post was challenged by Ogra senior executive director Mohammad Yasin.

On July 7, 2015, Ogra advertised a vacancy for the office of member oil, in response to which the selection board – after scrutinising candidates – shortlisted Mr Yasin, Zainul Abdin and Abdullah Malik.

Mr Abdin is the authority’s executive director and Mr Malik works in the private sector.

After the candidates were shortlisted, the authority forwarded their names to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Authority and Intelligence Bureau for clearance.

NAB informed Ogra that Mr Abdin was facing inquiries into his alleged involvement in irregular inductions, promotions and up-gradation of staff. The deputy attorney general (DAG), representing the federal government, told the court that the authority decided to re-advertise the post after NAB did not clear Mr Abdin’s name, which was at the top of the shortlist.

However, when Justice Siddiqui asked whether there were any pending inquiries against Mr Yasin and Mr Malik, the DAG said the agencies had cleared the remaining candidates.

At this, the court ordered a stay order in the matter and adjourned the hearing for a fortnight.

Justice Siddiqui also directed the federal government and Ogra to file a detailed reply before the next hearing.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2016