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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Penalty of dismissal from service can't be awarded sans probe: SC
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court ruled that major penalty of dismissal from service cannot be awarded without conducting regular inquiry, or providing opportunity of being heard to a civil servant as it amounts to violation of principles of Natural Justice. It also said that in cases involving public funds extra caution and due care is required to be observed to prove the charge of embezzlement or misappropriation, whereas, proper inquiry needs to be conducted in a fair and transparent manner to ensure that the public funds, so misappropriated, could be retrieved and the civil servant involved in such offence, shall be punished accordingly. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Mussarat Hilali, observed that while hearing an appeal against the Punjab Service Tribunal, Lahore. Brief facts of the case are that District Coordination Officer/ District Collector Mianwali proceeded against the petitioner (Malik Muhammad Ramzan) and awarded punishment of dismissal from service by invoking the provisions of PEEDA Act, 2006 on the charges of fraud and embezzlement of funds committed by the petitioner by increasing the amounts of cheques through forgery after getting them signed from the authorities. The petitioner, being aggrieved by the order of dismissal, filed departmental appeal before departmental authorities, which was rejected on 11.11.2016. The petitioner then filed revision petition, which was also dismissed on 02.03.2018. He then filed an appeal before the Punjab Service Tribunal, Lahore. However, such appeal was also dismissed on 24.01.2022. Thus, this petition was filed before the apex court. The petitioner contended before the Supreme Court that he was not provided with an opportunity of being heard. 'I was never served with any show-cause notice nor any regular inquiry was conducted while imposing a major penalty of dismissal from service,' he asserted. Conversely, the Additional Advocate General, Punjab, submitted that the petitioner was duly served with Show-Cause Notice(s) and was given an opportunity of being heard. The court after perusal of facts and examination of record, found that respondents failed to place on record any material or evidence to show that petitioner was ever served with the Show-Cause Notice(s) or was associated by the IO for the purposes of conducting regular inquiry. It further noted that major penalty of dismissal from service has been imposed on the allegations of embezzlement/ misappropriation of funds; however, without confronting the petitioner with any material or evidence, which may support such allegations. It set aside the Tribunal's verdict, and the respondents were directed to re-instate the petitioner into service. However, it remanded the matter to the departmental authority to conduct de novo inquiry into the allegations levelled against the petitioner while providing him sufficient opportunity of being heard in terms of Sections 9 and 10 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Act, 2006. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
01-08-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Two dozen dengue cases surface in Rawalpindi
24 dengue cases have already been reported across Rawalpindi during monsoon Listen to article Despite the official dengue season not yet beginning, 24 cases have already been reported across Rawalpindi during monsoon rains, triggering alarm within the district administration and health department. A new dengue prevention plan has been implemented immediately. Rawalpindi district has been divided into five zones, seven sectors, and 32 cluster centres, each with designated in-charges. Show-cause notices have been issued to five deputy district health officers (DDHOs) and 17 anti-dengue workers from areas where cases were reported. Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema expressed serious concern over the premature outbreak and ordered strict action under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act against negligent staff. In an anti-dengue meeting, the DC warned all health officials and deputies of zero tolerance. Officials found submitting false reports, skipping duties, or taking leave without approval will face immediate disciplinary action. Areas affected last year have been declared high-risk, with daily inspections ordered. The DC instructed assistant commissioners to seal offices and shops violating SOPs without delay. DC Cheema clarified that only his office can authorise the de-sealing of any premises. Locations such as tire shops, scrapyards, and under-construction buildings will be sealed if dengue larvae are found. Field inspections and third-party surveys will also be conducted. Any detection of larvae during these surveys will result in immediate action against the responsible staff.
Express Tribune
20-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Doctors face forged documents inquiry
At least five senior doctors are suspected of having submitted fake documents in their bid to be appointed as medical superintendents (MS) of teaching hospitals. According to official sources, the doctors had allegedly submitted forged experience certificates and falsely claimed to possess degrees in hospital management that were an essential qualification for appointment as MS under revised rules introduced by the Punjab government to improve healthcare administration. The provincial government has launched an inquiry under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act. Member of Board of Revenue Rashid Kamalur Rehman has been appointed as the inquiry officer. Under the act, the investigation must be concluded within 60 days. Sources in the health department said Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital MS Dr Nasir Chauhan, Dr Hasnain Raza and Dr Lubna Azam of Nishtar Hospital, Dr Samira Hassan of Quaid-e-Azam Medical College and Dr Shahroz Hassan of Lady Willingdon Hospital have been served notices to submit written replies within seven days regarding allegations of submitting fake certificates for the selection. A senior official said the certificate submitted by the senior doctors pertained to experience in hospital management, administration and qualifications. The MS are responsible for hospital operations, patient care quality, staff performance and resource management. Lacunas in their appointments compromises the entire healthcare system. The official said the provincial health authorities would adopt a zero-tolerance policy if any doctor would be found guilty in the inquiry. He said the higher authorities wanted action over the matter. "If found guilty, the doctors may face dismissal from service, disqualification for government posts, and potential criminal charges related to forgery and fraud," the official added.
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Quality assurance panels to monitor projects
WASA workers pump out rainwater accumulated at Committee Chowk in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE The Punjab Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department has established Quality Assurance Committees in all key subordinate agencies and development authorities across the province. Official sources confirmed that these committees will operate within Water and Sanitation Agencies (WASAs), Parks and Horticulture Authorities, and Development Authorities. Their primary mandate is to monitor project execution, verify adherence to technical standards, and provide consistent feedback to improve ongoing and future development schemes. Each committee will include departmental engineers, quality control officers, and administrative staff to ensure a comprehensive review of project implementation. Reports from these committees will be regularly submitted to the Housing Department's central monitoring cell for oversight and any required corrective actions. This quality control initiative follows the earlier creation of a high-level Search Committee tasked with ensuring merit-based recruitment of top positions, such as Directors General, Managing Directors, and Chief Engineers. Chaired by Housing Minister Bilal Yasin, the committee evaluates service records and seniority to ensure that appointments reflect capability and integrity. Additionally, the department has established an Internal Accountability Board, operating under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act. This board will investigate complaints of corruption and misconduct within the department and its subsidiaries, enforces internal discipline, audits compliance, and advises on policy reforms. Commenting on the department's multi-layered reforms, Housing Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal said: "The Quality Assurance Committees are another critical step toward institutionalising excellence in public service. When combined with the Search Committee and Internal Accountability Board, we are creating a governance model rooted in merit, integrity, and public trust." He stressed the importance of responsible use of public funds, noting that billions of rupees are invested annually in housing and sanitation projects.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Tax shortfall prompts excise to step up recovery
At high tax rates, profit margins for sellers decrease, leaving them with options to pass on the burden to consumers, compromise on the quality of products, evade taxes or find cheaper illicit goods. photo: file The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has intensified its commercial and domestic property tax recovery campaign in the Rawalpindi zone following a 55 per cent shortfall in property, professional, and luxury tax collections. In a move to accelerate collections, the secretary of excise and taxation has imposed an immediate ban on transfers and leave for excise inspectors and field staff until June 30. Property tax offices will also remain open on weekends throughout the month of June. The director general of excise and taxation has issued strict directives to ensure all tax targets are met by the end of June. Property tax collections in Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, and Jhelum districts are reportedly 5054 per cent below targets, while the newly designated tourist district of Murree, known as Malika Kohsar, has recorded a shortfall of up to 60 per cent. In response, the department has launched a large-scale operation, sealing 126 defaulting property units and recovering a total of Rs2.89 million in outstanding taxes. Seven excise and taxation officers in the Rawalpindi Zone have been served show-cause notices under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act for failing to meet recovery targets and may face dismissal.
