One inquiry report against Buzdar’s principal secy sent to PM

ISLAMABAD: The government has issued final show-cause notice to Tahir Khurshid, BS- 21 officer of Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), who was principal secretary to the then Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, besides submitting an inquiry report about him to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on February 3 for final decision.

“Prime Minister appointed Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary Interior, as inquiry officer on July 17, 2023 on the misuse of authority by awarding of tenders to favourite contractors,” read the show-cause notice issued to Khurshid.

“Tahir Khurshid has been facing allegations of corruption and money laundering with the connivance of Ms Farhat Shehzadi popularly known as Gogi who was very close to the spouse of the then Prime Minister Imran Khan. Mr Tahir Khurshid, however, managed to go abroad on one-month leave on the pretext of offering Umrah and visiting his ailing maternal Uncle from November 2, 20222. Since then, he didn’t turn up even after the 7 notices by NAB and inquiry which has been completed against him.”

Secretary Establishment Inamullah Khan Dharejo issued a show-cause notice to Khurshi, which was published in the national newspapers on February 4.

In the notice, Khrurshid has been bound to explain in 10 days’ time as to why one or more penalties, including a penalty of dismissal from service, should not be imposed on him under relevant rules. Khurshid has been asked that he is required to indicate in his reply if he wants to be heard in person.

The notice said, “Prime Minister appointed Syed Ali Murtaza (PAS/BS-22), Secretary, Ministry of Interior as Inquiry Officer in terms of Rule 9(1)(a) of the Rules ibid vide Inquiry Order of even number dated 17-07-2023 and charges were communicated to you vide Charge Sheet/Statement of Allegations of even number dated 17-07- 2023, which you refused to receive on your available addresses.”

“The inquiry officer, while concluding the inquiry ex-parte, has recorded that Charge No. 1 is proved against you. The inquiry officer has recommended therein that major penalty of “Compulsory Retirement” may be imposed upon you in terms of under Rule 4(3) of the Rules ibid,” the notice added.