IHC reserves verdict on petition against repatriation of DG Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal

By Wasim Kambo

ISLAMABAD, Jul 16 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday reserved its verdict on a petition filed by Director General (DG) Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Dr. Zeeshan Danish challenging a notification repatriating him to the Punjab government from his deputation post.

Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas heard arguments from both sides and observed that the authority which deputes an officer also has the power to recall his services.

Representing the petitioner, Advocate Shah Khawar argued that Dr. Danish’s deputation tenure had not yet expired and that one year of his term still remained. He said the petitioner had uncovered major fraud cases while serving as an inquiry officer and was still conducting inquiries.

Drawing a comparison, Khawar referred to the appointment of Pakistan’s finance minister from outside the government, arguing that appointments from outside the regular service structure were not unprecedented.

The court inquired whether the petitioner’s deputation period had been completed, to which counsel replied that it had not.

Counsel for Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Hafiz Arafat, argued that Dr. Danish had been appointed on deputation as director general but his services had since been returned to the Punjab government. He further submitted that despite the notification, the petitioner had refused to relinquish charge and continued to claim the office.

“How can two people work on the same post?” the counsel argued before the court. After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, the court reserved its judgment.