Pensioners’ verification for arrears irks court

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court chief justice on Friday came hard on finance department and accountant general of Punjab for asking pensioners for further verification to receive arrears of their pension.

Appearing on behalf of an 85-year-old pensioner, Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada told the court that the government was bound, under a previous judicial order, to disburse arrears of Rs9 billion among the pensioners by December 31. He said not a single penny had been paid to the pensioners yet.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah expressed serious dismay when counsel of the accountant general office stated that the pensioners had not applied for the arrears so far. The lawyer said the office would first verify the cases of the pensioners following their applications.

The chief justice observed as to why the pensioners were required to file separate applications to claim their arrears whereas the accountant general office maintained their complete record.  Justice Shah directed the accountant general and finance department to submit complete details of the pensioners along with their computerised record on next hearing. The departments were also ordered to submit mode of the payment of the arrears to the pensioners.

warrants: The Lahore High Court on Friday issued arrest warrants for a gang-rape suspect Adnan Sanaullah, a former office-bearer of PML-N Youth Wing.

Justice Shahid Hameed Dar directed the police to arrest the accused and produce him before court on next date of hearing.

Judge on November 17, while hearing a prosecution department appeal challenging bail granted to him following a ‘compromise’ with the victim party, had directed the accused to appear but he failed and now judge issued warrants for his arrest.

Appellate prosecution department counsel said a sessions court granted bail to suspect Adnan after the victim girl tendered an affidavit in his favour. He said the affidavit filed by the girl was a result of pressure exerted on her family by the accused party.