Supreme Court upholds compulsory retirement of NWFP officials

The Supreme Court here on Tuesday upheld the compulsory retirement of two officials by the NWFP government over involvement in corruption.
Justice Sardar Muhammad Raza Khan, heading a three-member bench, observed that corrupt functionaries must be punished to ensure transparency in government departments.
The bench, which included Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi and Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, set aside a decision of the provincial services, which the NWFP government had challenged through an appeal.
The two officials, prematurely retired by the provincial government, were assistant director, Khadim Hussain and acting assistant engineer, Anwab Zeb of local government. A third official, Ziaul Haq, who was also compulsorily retired, had not challenged the provincial government decision at the services' tribunal.
According to the appeal of the provincial government the three local government officials prepared false statements and drew Rs 1.5 million as payment for construction of 12 rooms in different schools in district Haripur. A departmental inquiry as well as audit report found them guilty.
Additional Advocate General NWFP Muhammad Khan represented the provincial government. Munir Paracha Advocate appeared as counsel of the respondents.