Summary PTI took a step ahead and demanded resignation of Sindh and KP governors.
(WebDesk) - Free and fair elections are part of a democratic setup. Similarly necessary reshuffling in bureaucracy will give an edge to every stakeholder who is willing to hold unbiased elections. Political parties throughout the history of Pakistan have raised doubts on various bureaucrats and wanted to reshuffle them before elections. Even at this time, the same practice is going on without interlude.
In this regard, Chief of Intelligence Bureau Dr Muhammad Suleman Khan, who is an office of 22-grade from Administrative Service of Pakistan, has been made the coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA). Muhammad Saleem has been appointed to the post of Chairman of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) by the acting government. Arshad Mirza, who was information secretary, has been posted as educational secretary. On the other side, the federal government has taken the services of 18 police officers from the Punjab.
Also read: General elections 2018: ECP allows reshuffling of bureaucracy
ECP granted permission
ECP has granted permission to the acting government to reshuffle the bureaucracy in accordance to needs. In this regard, 34 secretaries, 35 deputy commissioners and 77 IGs, SSPs, SPs and additional SPs of police have been transferred from Punjab. Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Hassan Askari has dismissed Advocate General Punjab Asma Hamid who was appointed by Shahbaz Sharif.
Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Hassan Askari dismisses advocate General Punjab Asma Hamid. Photo: File
Also read: Caretaker Punjab CM dismisses advocate General Punjab Asma Hamid
In Sindh more than 50 senior bureaucrats have been transferred. Major reshuffling occurred in the police service where an additional inspector general (AIG), 20 senior superintendents of police (SSPs) and 179 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs) were transferred from their posts. The notification was issued by inspector general of Sindh Police. It was stated that the transfers and postings have been ordered in accordance to the judgement of the honourable High Court of Sindh, Karachi and after approval of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Caretaker government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reshuffled a massive chunk of bureaucracy when it ordered to post and transfer more than a hundred officers. They include four divisional commissioners, Senior Member Board of Revenue (SMBR), 15 administrative secretaries and a number of deputy commissioners (DCs). Moreover, provincial government has also transferred 44 police high-ranking officers. They include five regional (RPOs) and 23 district police officers (DPOs). In Balochistan, ECP gave permission to transfer Balochistan’s secretaries, six commissioners and 33 deputy commissioners.
The above mentioned transfers and postings are major ones of their nature. ECP has also issued notice which has banned the federal and provincial government to hire for various departments.
PTI demanded resignation of Sindh and KP governors
PTI, keeping in view the wave of reshuffling in bureaucracy, took a step ahead and demanded resignation of Sindh and KP governors. The party does not seem to be out of the dilemma it suffered in the previous elections. It wants to ensure free and fair elections which could land Imran Khan on the premier seat. Although PTI demanded resignation, but no such move has been made till this time from ECP or interim government.
Also read: Imran Khan asks Mulk to sack KP governor
Will it benefit at all?
Reshuffling in bureaucracy is usually considered a way to conduct free and fair elections. According to Article 218 (3) of the Constitution, it is the responsibility of ECP to hold free and fair elections. Necessary reshuffling is decisive as without it conducting fair and free elections are not possible. The result of the above mentioned transfers and postings will be evident after 2018 General Elections.
Details complied by: Junaid Ali Malik
For more Elections 2018 News and updates visit, Dunya Election 2018.
