Ministry asked to draft amendments to relevant laws, rules

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to draft suitable amendments to the relevant laws and rules, allowing the Minister in-charge to take decisions which are not in the purview of cabinet or the Prime Minister, official sources told Business Recorder.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting of the federal cabinet, presided over by the Prime Minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, during discussion on posting/ transfer of Deputy Directors (BS-18) in the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (headquarters) and Protectorate Offices.

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development Division, in its summary to the federal cabinet stated that under section 5(1) of the Emigration Ordinance, 1979, the federal government can appoint a person as the Protector of Emigrants in the Protectorate Offices of the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE) .

The postings/ transfers of the following Deputy Directors (BS-18) in the BE&OE and its Protectorate Offices were proposed: (i) Kamran Munir Bhatti ;(ii) Rafique Bismal;(iii) Afzal Memon;(iv) Safdar Mehmood; (v) Shahzad Ali; (vi) Kazim Ehsan Malik; (vii) Shahid Ali Shah; (viii) Gul Akbar; (ix) Farrukh Jamal; ( x) Waseem Barakullah and ;(xi) Abdul Shakoor Soomro.

During discussion, it was mentioned that the transfer of these officers was according to established procedure and that they had completed their tenures of three years at their positions.

After brief discussion, the cabinet approved transfer/ posting of 11 officers in accordance with the summary of Ministry of overseas Pakistanis.

The cabinet further directed that the Law and Justice Division bring suitable amendments in the relevant laws and rules that would make Minister in-charge take decisions in the matters that are not within the purview of the cabinet or the Prime Minister in terms of the Constitution or the Rules of Business,1973.

The cabinet maintained that transfer/posting of BS-18 officers does not merit consideration by it, which should focus on policy matters.

On expiry of three years statutory tenure of Muhammad Naeem, Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the cabinet decided to re-appoint him for two year tenure in terms of section 5 read with section 4(2) of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Ordinance, 1965.

The cabinet also approved the name of BS-22 officer, Fida Muhammad Wazir as MD, PPRA with immediate effect.

The cabinet also approved Muhammad Naveed as member finance, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). The cabinet also directed to appoint him as Chairman, PTA till the appointment of new member (technical). Thereafter, the matter of appointment of Chairman, PTA on permanent basis will be submitted to the cabinet.

The cabinet decided that different laws/ rules may be reviewed by concerned Ministries/ Divisions to ensure that no candidate was adversely affected at the time of short-listing for a position because his/her experience was counted from the date of maximum rather than requisite professional qualification he/she had acquired in the field.—MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN