IHC sets three-week deadline for PSQCA Acting DG appointment

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) heard the case of appointment of the acting Director General (DG) of the Pakistan Standard Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) – a subsidiary of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

The case was presided over by Justice Babar Sattar. The plea had been filed against the appointment of a junior officer as the Acting DG instead of senior officer Dr Shahzad Afzal. The charge had been reportedly given to Deputy Director of General Finance.

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Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Asad-ur-Rehman Gilani also appeared in court on IHC’s orders. Justice Sattar expressed anger at the continued vacancy and the lack of concern on the part of the management. Addressing Asad-ue-Rehman, the IHC judge said, “Are you the Principal Secretary? Does appearing in court hurt your ego?”

The Principal Secretary responded, “I was in an important meeting, I came here as soon as I received your message. I apologise.”

Justice Sattar said, “We are not fond of calling secretaries to the court. You do not [do your job] so we have to. A case is filed every two months, which is also a cause of shame for us too.”

The Additional Attorney General requested the court that a final deadline should be given for the appointment. The Principal Secretary added, “One agency has given a report. Another report is yet to be received. As soon as that comes, we will issue the orders.”

The IHC inquired on how long will it take for that to happen. Cabinet Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal answered that he was not aware that the matter of appointment had been pending for two years. Justice Babar Sattar answered, “The matter has not been pending for two years, [it is pending for] four years. How much more time will it take?”

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The Cabinet Secretary answered that it will take three weeks, adding, “the summary will be sent as soon as the second report comes.”

Ministry of Science and Technology Secretary Sajid Baloch also appeared in court and also requested for time for finalising the appointment.

After hearing the arguments of both Principal Secretary and Cabinet Secretary, the IHC approved the request for three weeks’ time for the appointment of PSQCA Acting DG. Afterwards, the court adjourned the case until the end of the deadline.

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In December 2024 hearing, Justice Sattar had criticised the prolonged vacancy, saying that the statutory appointments could not be indefinitely delayed because of incomplete intelligence reports or bureaucratic inefficiencies.

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Assistant Attorney General had informed the court that a summary for the appointment, dated September 20, 2024, was pending approval in the Prime Minister’s office. He had said that the summary needed further input from intelligence agencies before it could be submitted to the Federal Cabinet for approval.

Justice Sattar said, “The implementation of statutory requirements cannot be held hostage to the whims of intelligence agencies,” noting that delay in appointment undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the organisation.