Karachi (Report by G M Mamond) The ongoing administrative mismanagement and blatant violations of rules within the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) have severely damaged the institution’s credibility. One of the most alarming issues is the continued and illegal appointment of a Grade-19 officer, Muhammad Rafiq, to the highly sensitive Grade-20 post of Director Registrar—a move that openly defies not only the organization’s rules but also explicit court orders.
According to sources, Muhammad Rafiq—currently posted at the IPO Head Office in Karachi—approached the Sindh High Court in an attempt to regularize his unlawful appointment. On September 2, 2025, the court issued a clear directive:
A qualified and properly trained Grade-20 officer must be appointed to the post, and Muhammad Rafiq must be instructed to complete the mandatory training.
Despite this unequivocal court order, the Ministry openly violated the ruling and once again granted Muhammad Rafiq current charge of the Grade-20 position. This action not only undermines legal norms but also constitutes a serious breach of IPO’s own regulations, which strictly prohibit granting current charge more than twice. However, Muhammad Rafiq has been continuously holding the charge since 2019, in complete disregard of established rules.
Internal sources describe this conduct as a “blatant and unlawful misuse of authority,” stating that it has created widespread unrest and uncertainty within the institution. Several senior, eligible officers are awaiting posting, but appointments are allegedly being delayed due to the influence of powerful individuals protecting favored staff.
Employees argue that keeping an untrained Grade-19 officer on a Grade-20 post—even after a court verdict—is highly illegal, unethical, and amounts to severe administrative misconduct. Meanwhile, neither the Ministry nor IPO’s spokesperson has issued any statement or clarification regarding the matter, further deepening suspicions.
This situation clearly highlights the erosion of rule of law and transparency within the organization. If immediate corrective measures are not taken, IPO’s reputation and public trust may suffer irreparable damage.
