Replies sought in petition against KP-PRCS appointments

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday sought replies from all parties on a petition filed against the recent appointment of the chairman and managing board of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP-PRCS).

A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Wiqar Ahmad heard the case while the petitioner’s counsel Fawad Jan, National Accountability Bureau’s special prosecutor Arbab Kaleemullah, Abrar Ahmad focal person to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police and others appeared.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that in 2022 the PRCS chairman and managing board had already been appointed and an official notification had also been issued.However, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor recently appointed a new chairman and a new board once again. The counsel argued that these appointments were made on a political basis and members of the Pakistan People’s Party and other specific persons were accommodated.

The petitioner alleged that the assets and resources of PRCS were being used for political activities, while funds allocated for flood victims in Dera Ismail Khan, Swat and other areas were also allegedly misused.

The counsel told the court that in the last month of Ramazan, an iftar at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor’s House cost Rs30,0000. On this, Justice Ejaz Anwar remarked whether the feast was arranged for the entire population of Pakistan.

The court was requested to suspend the notification of the chairman and managing board’s appointment and bar the current chairman and board from functioning.The petitioner’s counsel also prayed the court to appoint an acting chairman and board. After hearing the arguments, the court issued notices to all the parties and sought their replies.