Rao Tehsin seeks copy of inquiry report

Leaks case

ISLAMABAD: In the matter of former Principal Information Officer (PIO) Rao Tehsin Ali Khan seeking copy of the inquiry report of 'Dawn Leaks', Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Aamer Farooq here Thursday issued notices to the federation, secretaries of ministry of information, interior and secretary to the prime minister seeking their reply till first week of July.

Legal counsel for the petitioner, Waseem Sajjad advocate argued before the court that his client had been penalised for the leak of a report related to a high level meeting. Ironically, his client was not part of that meeting.

“A very harsh action has been taken against my client that resulted in public humiliation and removal from the office of PIO and not even the report that form basis for his removal given to him that is illegal, unlawful and against principles of natural justice,” he said.

“As a matter of fact my client neither attended the meeting at Prime Minister House nor outcome of the meeting was conveyed to him,” advocate Waseem Sajjad said. The petitioner mentioned in the petition that he joined civil service's information group in 1982 and lastly he held the grade 21 post of PIO.

That on October 6, 2016 a news report was published in a daily under the heading "Act against militants or face international isolation, civilians tell military". This report was regarding a high level meeting held at Prime Minister House that was participated by the highest civilian and military officials. As the report dealt with a sensitive issue, an inquiry was conducted to fix the responsibility as to who leaked the information.

An inquiry committee headed by Justice (R) Amir Raza called the petitioner and asked him about his role in this matter. Before the committee, the petitioner completely denied any role in this regard as he neither attended the meeting nor he was informed about the outcome.

In the light of report prepared by the committee, secretary to the Prime Minister on April 29, 2017 issued directions that "Rao Tehsin Ali Khan, PIO of the Ministry of Information shall be proceeded against under E&D rules 1973 on the charges based on findings in the instant report". After this, Establishment Division issued a notification relieving the petitioner from his duties and he was asked to report the Establishment Division.

On May 3, 2017 a notification was issued by the Information and Broadcasting division stating that the petitioner has been relieved of his duties as PIO while the petitioner does not know till today, findings of the inquiry committee or reason for the harsh action against him that resulted in a stigma and public humiliation for the petitioner and his family and also affected his service career.

On April 28, 2017, the petitioner filed an application before the secretary interior requesting him to provide a copy of the report so that petitioner could avail himself of lawful remedies.

However no action was taken on petitioner's request. Petitioner on May 2, 2017 and May 13, 2017 also filed applications but without any response. Petitioner contended in the petition that obtaining report to know about the details of accusations, is his right under article 9 and 19-A of the Constitutions. Despite continuous efforts of the petitioner, the inquiry report has not been supplied to him.

Petitioner has prayed to the court to direct the respondents to supply him with a copy of the inquiry report or submit before the court enabling him to avail himself of legal remedies.