Reply sought in EPA DG case

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court chief justice on Friday directed a Punjab government’s lawyer to come up with a reply on a petition seeking contempt proceedings against Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for defying a judgment and not appointing director general of Environment Protection Agency (EPA). 

Earlier, Advocate Sheraz Zaka argued on behalf of the petitioner that the court had on October 26 set aside the appointment of Dr Javed Iqbal DG EPA and directed the government to appoint new officer on merit.

The counsel said Javed Iqbal had not relinquished the charge so far and still exercising the authority in violation of the order. He alleged that the chief minister committed contempt of court by not appointing new director general. 

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah observed that at this stage of the case instructions would be sought from the EPA before issuing notices on the petition.

The chief justice directed an assistant advocate general to seek instructions from the agency by December 19 to inform the court about new appointment of director general and up-gradation in the department.