Pakistan Senate to Probe into Foreign appointments

By Dr Shahid Qureshi

“Orders of the supreme court of Pakistan must be followed concerning the contract employees in all spheres including foreign service”, said Senator Saleem Saiufullah Khan , Chairman Foreign Relations Committee Senate of Pakistan.

He said, “In many cases politically appointee person will do everything legal or illegal”

He was talking in the context of political appointments of Wajid Shamsul Hassan as High Commissioner in London and Hussain Haqqani ambassador of Pakistan to the USA. “Though government have discretion of appointing 20% out of service cadre that is including defence but merit and competence should be paramount”, he said.

He further said, “Competent individuals from abroad including expats could be contracted in think tanks and other capacities (but not on such sensitive positions).”

“Foreign Relation Committee will be looking into the supreme court orders and appointment matter as well as issuance of bulk visas by Hussain Haqqani including to the double murder accused Raymond Davis,” he said while talking to exclusively to the The London Post.

He was informed about the recent application to the Supreme Court about the appointments of Wajidshamsul Hassan and Hussain Haqqani.

The application states: “In the context of recent orders to remove all contracted officials posted in the government departments. I am suggesting it should also include political appointed ambassador Husssain Haqqani in USA and Wajid Shamsulhasan High commissioner in Britain and others. They are probably not register voters in Pakistan or voted in last two elections in past ten years. They have not spent time in Pakistan but opted residence and/or foreign nationalities. Therefore they are not eligible to be appointed on such sensitive position. It is an eligibility, security issue and discretion of the government. I am requesting you to include them and others in the list of the above mentioned order”.

Zardari regime has crossed all the norms and values in appointing cronies in foreign missions.They have appointed Salis Kiyani a former Mayor of a British town as Pakistan’s community welfare minister, Shanaz Mazhar wife of Pir Mazarul Haq as community welfare counsellor in London. Both are reportedly not register voters in Pakistan. Sarah Najeeb commercial attaché in London has finished her term two years ago but still clinging for five years. She is considered as very close to the High Commissioner.