LAHORE: Tension between the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) and the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) seems to be escalating as the former insists that its director general enjoys full authority to take all major decisions whereas the latter asserts he (DG) is legally bound to consult it and has limited powers.

The PES had recently written a letter to the S&GAD asking it to stop `interference in administrative matters of the Punjab Emergency Service`. The letter written by PES` BPS-17 law of ficer to the additional chief secretary stated the S&GAD was attempt-LAHORE: Tension between the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) and the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) seems to be escalating as the former insists that its director general enjoys full authority to take all major decisions whereas the latter asserts he (DG) is legally bound to consult it and has limited powers.

The PES had recently written a letter to the S&GAD asking it to stop `interference in administrative matters of the Punjab Emergency Service`. The letter written by PES` BPS-17 law of ficer to the additional chief secretary stated the S&GAD was attempt-ing direct interference in the affairs of the emergency service which is contrary to law and rules.

`Such interference is creating confusion and is against the norms of good governance and affecting the working of the life-saving emergency service,` the letter reads.

The PES demanded in the letter that the S&GAD should refrain from interference in the administrative matters of the rescue service till the Punjab Emergency Council meeting for which request has been pending with the S&GAD since Oct 3.

The S&GAD, however, says PES (Rescue 1122) DG is flouting instructions of his administrative department and willfully misrepresenting the facts. It says the DG is also denying information aboutthe PES matters even upon request.

The S&GAD has responded to the PES letter explaining what its says f actual and legal position. As it is time and again asserting, the S&GAD says, the Punjab Emergency Service Act 2006 unequivocally stipulates that DG can only exercise powers `subject to regulations` whereas the draf t regulations had not been submitted to the Punjab Emergency Council for approval.

`As per advice of the secretary regulations and secretary law, the draft regulations without approval of council have no legal standing and are void ab initio`.

The department says the DG is ex-officio secretary of the council but only three of the 44 mandatory meetings could be held during thelast 11 years as a result of which the PES is still unregulated.

The department has advised the PES to conform all its actions to regulatory framework and should not attempt to circumvent and resist the lawful role of the administrative department.

Rescue 1122 DG Dr Rizwan Naseer told Dawn that this was a classic case of how a high-performing organisation could be destroyed through bureaucratic interference.

In its letter, the PES had questioned the sudden change of competent authority after 11 years to additional chief secretary/administrative secretary. As the change is contrary to law and rules of the PES, the official stated that this change would likely initiate litigation.