Contempt case disposed of

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court on Thursday disposed of a contempt petition against secretary communication & works department after the bureaucrat undertook to implement an order of the court in its letter and spirit.

Widow Syeda Kaneez Fatima sought contempt proceedings against the secretary for defying court’s order regarding compensation to her against acquisition of her property for construction of Okara-Kasur Bypass Road. Advocate Taffazul Haider Rizvi argued on behalf of the petitioner that the court had ordered the respondent secretary C&W to decide the matter of compensation to be paid to the woman against the acquisition of the land. He said the government had not filed any appeal against the order. The counsel said the secretary instead of implementing the judgement of the court attempted to reopen the case by holding that the project was a farm-to-market road for which no compensation was paid. However, the counsel said, this question was already decided by the court as it was held to be a bypass. Secretary C&W Mushtaq Ahmad appeared before the court of Justice Ayesha A. Malik and tried to justify his act but when the judge warned him that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated against him. At this, the secretary withdrew his order and undertook to pass a fresh order complying with the judgment of the court.