Heads of autonomous bodies: ministries/divisions directed to fill vacant positions

The federal cabinet has directed Ministries/Divisions to fill all vacant positions of heads of autonomous bodies working under them as early as possible, official sources told Business Recorder. The decision was taken after a detailed discussion on a proposal of Aviation Division for contract appointment of Air Marshal Asim Suleman (retired) as Director General, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) as a number of autonomous bodies under the administrative control of different Ministries/ Divisions are without permanent heads due to which their performance is compromised.
The sources said, a number of positions are vacant in organisations under the administrative control of Commerce Division, Power Division, Petroleum Division , Ministry of Industries and Production etc , adding few of the Divisions have given current charge to their blue eyed officers, who consume all their energies to get into the good books of Secretary of the Ministry/ Division.
While giving preference to the Ministers over the Secretaries, the Cabinet has also directed that all the Ministers should personally ensure that the process is initiated on urgent basis and completed with the minimum possible timeframe.
Sharing the details of appointment of Air Marshal Asim Suleman (retired) as Director General, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the sources said, he was appointed on November 27, 2015 with the approved of Prime Minister on a note submitted by the Chairman, Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
According to the advertisement published in the newspapers on September 15, 2015 for the post, he will hold office for three years or more as deemed appropriate by the federal government and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the federal government.
As per the instructions issued by the Establishment Division, contract appointment is made for two years initially, on standard terms including termination clause of one month's notice or one months' pay in lieu thereof. Furthermore, extension of contract can be made on two year basis.
The sources said, Air Marshal Asim Suleman (retired) attained the age of superannuation (60 years) on January 31, 2018. As per the instructions issued by Establishment Division, no officer is allowed to continue in office after superannuation/ expiry of the contract period unless prior approval of the competent authority is obtained in advance.
Furthermore, in another case, Prime Minister directed that in positions where employment beyond superannuation are absolutely necessary, prior approval of the Prime Minister be obtained.
According to sources, the matter was accordingly brought to the attention of the Prime Minister, who desired to bring it before the federal cabinet with a proposal to terminate the contract of the incumbent DG, PCAA and to assign current charge of the position to a senior most officer in the organisation.
At present, there is only one Additional Director General in PCAA viz. AVM Usaid-ur-Rehman on deputation from Pakistan Air Force, whereas there are two Deputy Director Generals in the Authority.
During the course of discussion, it was mentioned that the terms and conditions of the incumbent DG, PCAA had not been finalised which would now require ex-post facto approval of the PCAA Board. Furthermore, current charge appointment can only be given to a senior-most officer in an organisation posted at the same station, and an officer on deputation is not included in the seniority list.
The summary was submitted in accordance with the Supreme Court of Pakistan's judgment reported as PLD 2016 SC 808 for approval of the federal government ie to terminate the contract of incumbent DG, PCAA and assign current charge of the position to Additional Director General, PCAA AVM Usaid-ur-Rehman.
The cabinet approved to relieve the DG,PCAA from the date of superannuation with one month salary in lieu of the notice period.
The cabinet also directed the Aviation Division to place a summary before it for the current or additional charge of the assignment to a suitable officer in accordance with the rules.