The Islamabad High Court has said that the prime minister is empowered to appoint a special assistant with the status of a minister, but the appointment does not permit the adviser to act as a minister.
In a order passed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the appointment of Shahzad Akbar as PM's special assistant on accountability, the high court said an adviser has no role in policy matters of a ministry nor is the adviser one of its officials. It said a 'minister' is defined in the constitution: it neither includes an 'adviser' nor a 'special assistant', reported Geo News.
“The Rules of 1973 explicitly declare the secretary to be the official head of the division/ministry and responsible for its efficient administration, discipline and proper conduct of business,” reads the judgment.
The court also added that Rule 55 of the Rules of 1973 prescribes guidelines for the communication of official information, which says that only ministers and secretaries shall act as official spokespersons of the government. This rule can only be breached if an adviser any individual is authorised to act as the official spokesperson.
The plea also alleged that Akbar was interfering in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) affairs. At this, the court said the petitioner did not place on record any material to support that Akbar may have interfered with matters falling within the domain of the NAB.
In a order passed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the appointment of Shahzad Akbar as PM's special assistant on accountability, the high court said an adviser has no role in policy matters of a ministry nor is the adviser one of its officials. It said a 'minister' is defined in the constitution: it neither includes an 'adviser' nor a 'special assistant', reported Geo News.
“The Rules of 1973 explicitly declare the secretary to be the official head of the division/ministry and responsible for its efficient administration, discipline and proper conduct of business,” reads the judgment.
The court also added that Rule 55 of the Rules of 1973 prescribes guidelines for the communication of official information, which says that only ministers and secretaries shall act as official spokespersons of the government. This rule can only be breached if an adviser any individual is authorised to act as the official spokesperson.
The plea also alleged that Akbar was interfering in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) affairs. At this, the court said the petitioner did not place on record any material to support that Akbar may have interfered with matters falling within the domain of the NAB.