ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected Federal Minister for Housing and Works Faisal Saleh Hayat’s appeal against the Islamabad High Court’s order regarding the reinstatement of his department’s executive engineer (civil).
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed concern over federal minister’s approaching the apex court against a government official in his personal capacity, as rules did not allow him to do so. The CJ asked the counsel for the minister not to get personally involved in the issue.
Executive Engineer (civil) Fayyaz Ahmad was suspended due to his alleged involvement in irregularities in ‘Construction of Bridge over River Ravi on Kamalia-Harrapa Road, Mal Fatyana District Toba Tek Singh’ project.
Faisal said that an inquiry was ordered by the ministry against Fayyaz Ahmed on December 7, 2011 but he challenged the matter in HC, wherein he got relief. On the other hand, respondent Fayyaz submitting his reply to minister’s appeal alleged that on refusal of bribery to Faisal Saleh’s frontman, MB Awan, the case was brought against him.
The initial fact-finding inquiry was managed by the same, MB Awan Joint Secretary of Housing Ministry.
The respondent claimed “MB Awan is of dubious reputation as he was also dismissed from service on corruption charges, MB Awan tried to entangle him in the scam of Kamalia Bridge”. He also submitted the letters of Transparency International regarding the alleged corruption in the ministry of housing and works.