SC summons LDA DG in plots allotment case

LAHORE

Supreme Court Monday showed disappointment over inordinate delay in allotment of plots to two citizens and summoned Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general. 

A two-judge bench headed by acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing two identical petitions filed by KEMU VC Dr Faisal Masood and a citizen, Ziaul Haq, against the LDA. 

Representing Dr Masood, Advocate Ch Yaqoob argued before the court that his client purchased a plot of one-Kanal during 1990 in an area that was later included in Johar Town, Lahore. He said the LDA cancelled the plot of Dr Masood and promised to allot an alternate plot. However, the counsel said, the LDA had not allotted the promised plot despite lapse of 26 years. 

Counsel of Haq told the court that the LDA had not been allotting plot to his client for several years. 

The bench observed the LDA had become most corrupt department of the country and adopted a policy of humiliating citizens. The bench adjourned further hearing till Aug 2 and directed LDA DG Nabeel Javed to appear in person. 

guards: The Lahore High Court Monday directed Pakistan Railways (PR) to upgrade one step the post of guards and extend the benefits to them which some guards are already enjoying in the light of court’s order. 

Justice Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan issued this order on 19 identical petitions filed by different guards seeking directions for upgrade of their posts like other cadres in railways which were appointed on same terms and conditions.

The petitioners through their counsels submitted that they were originally appointed as guard grade-I in BS-9 on the basis of their educational qualification. They said employees of their rival cadre on the same train commonly known as STEs (special ticket examiners) were also appointed with the basic qualification of Matric but have been awarded BS-11 and BS-14 and promoted as Group Inspectors and Divisional Inspectors.

It is claimed that STEs cannot be equated with the category of guards but strangely the post of STEs has been upgraded but the guards have been ignored which is against their constitutional rights.

The judge said on an earlier order, the Lahore High Court upgraded the post of guards and not of an individual, benefit whereof has been given to some of the employees while the same benefit is being denied to the other equally placed guards which in fact is in stark violation of the dictum laid down by the supreme court.

The judge allowed all petitions and directed the railways authorities to extend the same benefits to all guards which it already had granted to some of the guards like employees of STEs within three months.

Convicted: Drug Court Chairman on Monday awarded one year jail term to a person namely Khalid Mehmood for selling banned drugs.

The court has also imposed a fine of Rs250,000 on the convict. In case of default in payment of fine, the convict will face further jail term.

Drug authorities had arrested Khalid Mehmood while he was selling banned drugs in district Kasur. The authorities concerned registered a case against Khalid and submitted a challan before the court.

On Monday, the court after hearing the final arguments of both parties awarded one year imprisonment to Khalid Mehmood.

Petition returned: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Monday maintained LHC registrar office objection and retuned a petition seeking registration of a case under terrorism law against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over charges of genocide in Held Kashmir.

The chief justice observed that the petitioner should approach the justice of peace at first instance.  The LHC registrar had raised the objection that the petitioner had not approached the proper forum. 

A local lawyer, Rana Abdul Hameed, filed the petition submitting that in last few days Indian forces had killed more than a hundred Kashmiris and injured others including with eye injuries. He said a major grievance of those protesting in Kashmir is the failure of authorities to respect basic human rights.