SHC disposes of plea against appointment of Qaim’s daughter

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday disposed of a petition challenging the appointment of former chief minister’s daughter at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre’s (JPMC) gynaecology department on deputation basis following assurances from the Sindh advocate general. 

Sindh AG Barrister Zamir Ghumro told the court that that the petitioner need not worry about seniority of the department’s doctors being affected and that the petitioner’s posting as in-charge of the gynaecology department will not be affected.

Petitioner Dr Khadija maintained in her petition that despite restraining orders of the Supreme Court, the provincial government appointed Dr Nusrat Shah, daughter of former CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah, in JPMC on deputation.

She submitted that the seniority of faculty members of the gynaecology department was affected due to her appointment. The petitioner cited malafide intentions behind the transfer of the respondent so as to grab the upcoming vacancy of the gynaecology department’s head.

Dr Khadija maintained that she was competent to occupy the post of head of the department and that any person coming on deputation from other institution cannot fill the vacant post. She requested the court to set aside the respondent’s appointment and appoint a senior member as in-charge of the concerned department. She said the Sindh government cannot alone get transfers done to a federal public body.

AG Ghumro informed the court that the petitioner would continue at the present posting as in-charge gynaecology department at JPMC with the same seniority and terms and conditions of her service will not be affected adversely.

He further stated that the resignation tendered by the petitioner shall not be affected upon by the provincial government.

Expressing satisfaction over the AG’s statements, the petitioner’s counsel did not press on the petition which was subsequently disposed of.