LHC CJ warns of contempt case if pensioners not paid

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Monday expressed serious concern over non-payment of pension to the retired officials and observed that contempt proceedings would be started against the government functionaries if they were not willing to pay them.

The CJ summoned special secretary finance with clear answer on the next hearing and adjourned hearing until October 10. During the hearing, a law officer on behalf of the Punjab government requested the court to give more time to present detailed report regarding schedule for payment of arrears. This request of the law officer angered the chief justice who observed that payment of dues was duty of the government and it was not going to do any favour.

The CJ observed that this attitude of the government of seeking time again and again was not suitable. The Law officer requested the court that a summary was lying pending before the Punjab CM regarding schedule for arrears of the retired officials and pleaded for last chance.

The law officer assured the court that he would submit schedule of arrears payment on the next hearing. The court allowed requested and summoned the Special Secretary Finance with direction to submit clear stance on the next hearing.

Earlier, the retired officials had filed contempt petition against the Punjab government for not complying with the court’s orders. They said despite clear orders of the court, they were not being paid their dues. They requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the authorities concerned.

Notices: The Lahore High Court on Monday again issued notices to federal government and film censor board on a petition seeking a complete ban on screening of Indian movies in Pakistan.

The court issued this order on a petition moved by stage comedian Iftikhar Thakur through Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry seeking the ban in backdrop of Indian atrocities in Kashmir.He said exhibition of Indian films in Pakistan was amounted to rubbing salt into the wounds of the people of Kashmir. He prayed to the court to put a ban on the exhibition of the Indian movies in Pakistan.

A law officer appeared on behalf of the government and sought more time to file the reply. Justice Shahid Karim adjourned hearing until October 25 and directed the government to submit reply.