Grade 17 officers put in charge of seniors, sparking municipal row

The appointments have triggered serious concern among SCUG officers, who contend that the postings are contrary to court orders and the prescribed structure of municipal administration. Sources said SCUG officers have approached the Sindh High Court seeking implementation of the relevant judicial orders and challenging the appointments, in what has intensified tensions between SCUG and cadre officers.

Among the officers whose appointments have been challenged are Grade 17 XPCS officer Zulfiqar Ali, posted as municipal commissioner of New Karachi Town; Grade 17 PMS officer Saeed Ahmed; another Grade 17 PMS officer, Habibullah; and Grade 17 officer Aun Abbas Shah.

The SCUG officers who have approached the court include former Saddar Town municipal commissioner Alamgir Junejo, former Malir Town municipal commissioner Sameer Khan Durrani and former Baldia Town municipal commissioner Fayyaz Ali Shah.-level sources, the appointment of OPS officers has disrupted administrative affairs in several towns, with the situation reportedly particularly serious in New Karachi Town.

The sources said the controversy had created uncertainty among municipal officers over the chain of command and postings, while SCUG officers were seeking judicial intervention to protect posts they claim are allocated to their service cadre.

The dispute has also raised questions over the implementation of the prescribed municipal administrative structure and the authority under which the Grade 17 officers were appointed to the key posts.