Punjab govt should do its job: CJP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday conducted hearing into the case pertaining to irregularities in 56 Punjab companies.

Three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the case filed by NAB on irregularities in these 56 companies.

During the proceedings, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked why these companies have not been closed yet over which Punjab Advocate General Sardar Ahmed Jamal Sukhera told that 37 out of 56 companies are benefiting the people.

Responding to the argument, the top judge said that they are trying to follow East India strategy and directed to resolve the issue now. The government should perform its duties with responsible attitude, the CJP asserted.

Punjab Advocate General said that the Punjab government has decided to shut down unnecessary companies opened during previous tenures.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked why they weren’t shutting down all 56 companies. He said the Punjab government is starting to operate like the East India Company. Will the government implement its own laws through these companies, he asked.

The CJP said there was once a company named the East India Company and what it ended up doing, he asked. “Is the Punjab government starting the same thing, he asked.

He said the Punjab government has been granted enough time to shut down the 56 companies. Now solve the problem. “The companies aren’t able to deliver,” he said adding that the government must do its own work.

“Some people hadn’t returned their salaries and bonuses despite the court order. The NAB prosecutor general told the court that a reference would be filed against those people. Punjab Advocate General said the Punjab chief minister has set up a steering committee. “The public is benefiting from 37 of these companies,” he said adding that there are some legal questions for which the steering committee will cooperate with the court.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan said the Punjab government must first look at the NAB report and submit a reply. The hearing was adjourned for a month.