PM approves extension to envoy despite SC ban
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given the first illegal extension, completely in violation of the Supreme Court judgements, to a Foreign Service officer who was already on extension given by the previous PPP government.
The PM office has officially confirmed the extension given by the PM. The surprise decision was revealed on Thursday when the Foreign office disclosed that the new government had given yet another extension to Mrs Fauzia Abbas Mufti, Pakistani Ambassador to Denmark.
Officials explain that officers who have powerful connections with the political elite always succeed in getting prized foreign postings during every government and slogans to uphold rule of law and principles are mere election jingles.
Mrs Mufti was already on a two-year extension because of her close links with the previous PPP government. She also continued during the tenure of caretaker government. According to sources, now the new prime minister on an alleged recommendation (Sufaarish) of a powerful minister approved another extension for her.
The PM office when approached by The News replied and officially confirmed the extension in following words, She is given extension till December 2013 under special circumstances. However, special circumstances were not elaborated by the PMO. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, foreign office spokesperson when approached by The News showed his ignorance about any such development. However other top officials of ministry of foreign affairs confirmed the extension.
The Supreme Court in many of its judgements has declared that no extension would be given until unless there is absolutely no alternative to the person. However, in the present many senior career diplomats are facing discrimination by successive political regimes and are deprived of their deserved foreign postings.
PM approves extension to envoy despite SC ban - thenews.com.pk