Dawn Leaks inquiry report: IHC seeks comments from govt in Rao Tehsin plea

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday sought comments from key government functionaries on a petition filed by former principal information officer (PIO) seeking the court to order the federal government to provide him with a copy of the Dawn Leaks inquiry report so that the reason behind his removal could be known.

Justice Aamer Farooq ordered the secretaries of information and interior ministries, and secretary to the prime minister to submit comments in the case and directed the petitioner’s counsel Wasim Sajjad to apprise the court if it was the government’s prerogative to make the report public.

After running from pillar to post to know the exact reasons behind his removal from the office, Rao Tehsin Ali Khan had on Tuesday filed a petition in the IHC against the federal government to provide him with a copy of the Dawn Leaks inquiry report.

Sajjad said that it was the right of the petitioner under the principles of natural justice and Article 19-A of the Constitution to be given a copy of the report. He said that Tehsin could not avail any remedy against the action taken against him without getting a copy of the report.

Tehsin was sent packing after minutes of a meeting of a group of civil and military officials chaired by the prime minister and included senior cabinet ministers, and federal and provincial government officers, were published in Dawn newspaper.

In the report, Cyril Almeida, the scribe, said that the foreign secretary stated that China had reiterated its support for Pakistan but specifically conveyed a preference for change of course in Pakistan as there was international demand for action against jihadi elements and the failure to act against them was leading to isolation of Pakistan.

The counsel said that as the report dealt with a sensitive issue an inquiry was conducted to fix responsibility on the people who leaked the information.

Later, the Establishment Division issued a notification relieving the petitioner of his duties and directing him to report to the division.

On May 3, Sajjad said, a notification was issued by the Information and Broadcasting Division stating that the petitioner had been relieved of his duties as PIO.

He said that the petitioner does not know till today the findings of the inquiry committee or the reason behind the harsh action taken against him that resulted in a stigma and public humiliation for the petitioner, his family and also affected his service career.

Source: The Express Tribune