RAWALPINDI: The Government today [Dec 7] released a list of 303 Class I gazetted officers — 38 of them belonging to the Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP) — who have been placed under suspension and action against whom will be taken under the recently promulgated Martial Law Regulation No. 58.

These officers, also including 16 from the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) and 40 from the Provincial Civil Service (PCS), will be shortly served with charge sheets and statements of allegations against them, according to an official Press Note. They will be given the opportunity of making written statements in their defence and of being heard, if they so desire, by the tribunals being set up in this connection.

On the receipt of the reports of the tribunals, the President and Chief Martial Law Admin­is­trator will decide about further action to be ta­ken in each case. The punishment awarded in this connection, according to the Press Note, may include retirement, removal or dismissal from service followed by trial which may result in imprisonment, fine or confiscation of property.

The Government has also forbidden sale, transfer or mortgage of properties or assets owned, possessed or controlled directly or indirectly by a suspended official within a period of one year.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2019