SHC directs secretary education Sindh to appear in person

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday directed secretary Education Sindh to appear in person on March 3 along with a written explanation regarding non-compliance of an earlier order of the upper court on removal of chairman Sindh Text Book Board and appointment of a new chairman.

Earlier, on March 20, 2018, the Sindh High Court had directed secretary education Sindh to appoint a new chairman STB within 30 days (till April 20, 2018) and conduct forensic audit of expenses made by incumbent Chairman Agha Suhail Pathan.

But despite of the clear orders of Sindh High Court and lapse of almost two years, neither the chairman was removed nor any forensic audit was conducted.

Agha Suhail Pathan, an officer of provincial service group, was posted as chairman Sindh Text Book Board on October 26, 2017 but was removed by Sindh government on February 14, 2018 following complaints of irregularities and financial mismanagement in the board.

Pathan challenged his removal order in the Sindh High Court and on March 20, the court by disallowing his plea disposed off his petition, directed the Sindh government to appoint a new chairman within 30 days (till April 20, 2018) and conduct forensic audit of expenses made by Chairman Agha Suhail Pathan but despite the passage of almost two years, neither Chairman Pathan has been removed nor any forensic audit has been conducted yet. Meanwhile, Pathan made further expenses of millions of rupees also.

According to the documentary evidences available with The News, many summaries were moved by the Education Department to Chief Secretary Sindh for the removal of Suhail Pathan and posting of new chairman but no action could be taken in this regard. Senior educationist and leader of Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) Professor Muhammad Yaqoob Chandio has approached the Sindh High Court on non-compliance of the earlier order of the SHC on the removal of chairman and posting of a new chairman. The Sindh High Court issued notices to secretary Sindh Education Department to submit a written explanation why the compliance was not made.