ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday dismissed a plea seeking the removal of Fawad Hasan Fawad from his position as caretaker Federal Minister for Privatisation and Inter Provincial Coordination.
The electoral body announced its reserved decision on a petition filed by Advocate Syed Aziz Uddin Kakakhel on September 29, seeking the removal of the “biased ministers” from the interim government to ensure free and fair elections scheduled for February 8, 2024.
The ECP, in its ruling, deemed the petition to be motivated by a personal grudge. The electoral body said that Fawad, being the privatization minister, does not possess the capacity to influence the election process. Moreover, the ECP noted Fawad’s history of serving in significant roles in the past.
Advocate Kakakhel had submitted the petition against Ahad Cheema and Fawad Hassan Fawad. The ECP had removed the Ahad Cheema from his post last week.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar appointed the former bureaucrat to the interim cabinet on September 12, with the approval of President Arif Alvi under Article 224 (1A) based on Premier Kakar’s advice.
Fawad Hassan Fawad Served as principal secretary to Nawaz Sharif
Throughout his career, Fawad Hassan Fawad has held pivotal roles in Pakistan and abroad. His notable positions include director general of the Civil Service Academy in Lahore before retirement. He served as principal secretary to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab chief minister.
Fawad also held secretary positions in various offices, including Excise and Taxation, Communication and Works, Health, and S&GAD with the Punjab government. Additionally, he served as deputy commissioner in Quetta and Lahore.
Following Nawaz’s removal from office and indictment in the Avenfield corruption case, Fawad faced arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in 2018 for alleged involvement in the Rs14 billion Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme scam. However, in February 2023, he was acquitted in the case.
