Statement of Registrar on the Oath Taking Ceremony of Auditor General of Pakistan

Islamabad: The President of Pakistan issued notification dated 23.08.2011 for the appointment of Mr. Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana as Auditor General of Pakistan. The Chief Justice of Pakistan in performance of administrative function under Article 168(2) of the Constitution is required to administer the oath.

In the instant case, however, before administering oath, the Chief Justice of Pakistan sent a letter to the President based on reports of the ISI, FIA and comments received from the former Auditor General of Pakistan in response to a notice issued on an anonymous application received in the Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. I read the concluding Para of the letter of the Chief Justice of Pakistan addressed to the President:-

“It is to be noted that once a person is appointed Auditor General and administered oath of office by the Chief Justice, he enjoys the status of holder of a constitutional office. His removal is only possible by adhering to the procedure prescribed for removal of Judges of the Superior Courts before the Supreme Judicial Council in terms of Article 209 of the Constitution.

Being the Chief Justice and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, while discharging my duties and performing my functions, I honestly consider it necessary to bring it into the notice of the competent authority about the credentials of Mr. Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana, which, I believe, perhaps were not in the notice of the office, which processed his case. However, if, on having taken into consideration the above noted facts, the competent authority still desires that he should be administered the oath, I may be informed accordingly.”

The response of the President has been received along with communication from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Therefore, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, in discharge of administrative function, without prejudice to anyone and subject to all just exceptions, NOTIFICATION “In exercise of the powers conferred on him under Article 168(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President is pleased to appoint Mr. Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana, presently posted as Additional Auditor General of Pakistan, to be Auditor General of Pakistan with effect from the date he enters upon that Office.”

For more information, contact:
Shahid Hussain Kamboyo
Public Relations Officer
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Tel: +9251 920 4184
Fax: +9251 920 1001
Email: pro_scp@yahoo.com