SC again orders promotion notification of Customs officer

 If summoned PM won’t go back to office: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday observed that the prime minister would not return to office if summoned in a contempt of court case.

A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh, heard a contempt petition, filed by Omer Farooq, a Customs officer against the secretary establishment.

While expressing annoyance over the non-implementation of its order, it ordered the authorities to issue promotion orders of the Customs officer within 48 hours. The court also took strong exception of the non-appearance of the secretary establishment before it.

During the hearing, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that the secretary establishment had been summoned repeatedly; however, he did not turn up to file his reply in the case.

He further noted that for the last eight months, the Establishment Division had been flouting the court's order, adding that the court on April 27, 2015 had issued directives for the promotion of Omer Farooq, who is working in the Customs Department.

“No one would be allowed to defy the court’s order,” Justice Sheikh remarked, adding that in the instant matter, if they would summon the prime minister then he may not go back. “There is enough space in Adiala Jail,” Justice Sheikh remarked.

During the course of hearing, Arif Chaudhry, representing secretary establishment, submitted before the court that on January 29, 2016 the Establishment Division had sent a summary to the prime minister regarding Omer Farooq’s promotion.

Justice Sheikh, however, observed that the Establishment Division had been playing a game with the court for the last eight months. He said the notification for the promotion of Omer Farooq was issued on 29-01-2016. He said that no one is sitting on the process of promotion.

Omer Farooq, the petitioner, informed the court that the order issued by the apex court on April 27, 2015 was not yet implemented in letter and spirit. At this, the attorney general assured the court to implement its order in letter and spirit, adding that the new notification regarding promotion of the petitioner will be issued. Meanwhile, the court ordered the authorities to issue a notification of Omar Farooq’s promotion and adjourned the hearing until February 3.