Disabled citizens’ case: PHC orders attachment of chief secretary’s salary

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) Thursday ordered the attachment of the salary of the chief secretary over non-submission of comments in a public interest writ petition concerning the rights of disabled citizens.

Justice Qaisar Rasheed Khan and Justice Naeem Anwar were hearing arguments in a writ petition seeking enforcement of international treaties signed by the federation of Pakistan, when they were informed that even after two years the provincial government had failed to file comments in the case.

Justice Qaisar Rasheed Khan observed that at the last hearing, the chief justice of the Peshawar High Court had given the chief secretary the last opportunity to have the comments filed, yet after two years and repeated warnings, the government was not taking the matter seriously.

The court ordered the attachment of the salary of the chief secretary and reproached the advocate general office for complacency. The public interest litigation had been filed by Barrister Asad-ul-Mulk in early 2018 when an application by two disabled citizens was made to the chief justice of the Peshawar High Court.

The chief justice had directed the Human Rights Cell to have it converted into a writ petition if found suitable, which the application was. Despite comments having been sought from the federation and the provincial government, the latter failed to submit comments for the last two years. The contention of the petitioners is that the federation of Pakistan is a signatory to numerous international treaties, the courts can direct the government to honour the treaties it has signed.