- Orders to restore Ex PM Nawaz Sharif’s security
- Says cement factory responsible for drying up Katas Raj pond
ISLAMABAD, April 23: Chief Justice of pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday asked the Election Commission of Pakistan to clarify the reason behind banning recruitments in government institutions.
During a hearing on the case, the chief justice questioned the ECP secretary, who was present in the court, on the law under which they banned recruitments by public institutions. The chief justice asked if the ECP’s decision will be implemented on important institutions as well, where appointments of heads were under way.
To this, the ECP secretary said the responsibility for fair elections falls with them under Elections Act, 2017, which is why they were taking measures to ensure the purpose is fulfilled. The chief justice then asked with such a decision will affect government functions.
He also spoke about the reason behind taking suo moto on the decision, saying he took the step in a move to ensure general elections are held on time. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has directed to conduct upcoming general elections on time.
Chief Justice further asked whether this decision will affect government affairs and also ordered high courts to resolve these matters as early as possible. The commission should explain its stance regarding banning appointments as no such case has been surfaced before, he added.
He remarked that complaints over appointments are also filed in the high court, but they try to wrap such cases at the earliest. The hearing was then adjourned till Tuesday (today) and notices were issued to the attorney general and advocates general.
Earlier in the day, the chief justice took suo motu notice of the ECP’s temporary ban on hirings by public institutions. A three-member bench headed by the chief justice and comprising justices Umar Ata Bandial and Ijaz-ul-Ahsan heard the case.
The ECP had issued a statement on April 11 regarding hiring freeze in appointments made by federal, provincial and local governments to ensure transparency of upcoming general elections. However, there will be no ban on the hirings by federal and provincial public service commissions, the notice stated.
Moreover, the implementation of all the development schemes, which have been taken up after April 1, will also be put to a halt. The development schemes include those pertaining to the supply of gas and water, construction and carpeting of roads.
This step has been taken to ensure that the funds released for ongoing development projects are not used for other schemes, the statement read. Keeping in view past practices, the commission has also banned the transfer of previously allocated development funds to other heads.
On April 2, the ECP had barred public office-holders from using public money to promote themselves ahead of the elections. The ECP had sent to the provincial chief secretaries letters pointing out that the commission was busy with preparations for the upcoming elections and various stakeholders had reported that several public officeholders, including ministers, members of the national and provincial assemblies and party leaders, were announcing development schemes and fixing inaugural plaques under their Names to woo voters ahead of the general elections.
“Understandably development schemes such as hospitals, schools, roads, tube wells, etc, are executed through public money, therefore self-projection through public exchequer is by no means acceptable,” the letter stated. , 2018
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered to restore former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s lawful security.
Chief Justice of Pakistan, Saqib Nisar, was hearing the suo moto case related to security protocol of personnel with no official entitlement. He said that they do not want to put anyone’s life in danger.
Then, CJP ordered the provinces to come up with security measures and guidelines.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar said that Katas Raj Temple’s pond dried up due to the cement factory.
Had it not been the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), would have shut down the factory in no time, said the CJP while hearing the Katas Raj Temple case.
The counsel for the cement factory informed the court that the factory was using two tube wells at present instead of six. He claimed that it would cost Rs 2 billion to build a pipeline to supply water from the nearest river.
The chief justice remarked that the factory uses water worth Rs 7 billion annually. He said that the environment agency could not allow anyone to use underground water and those who had allowed won’t be spared.
The court directed the factory owners to find solutions to the problems or the court might order shut down of the factory.
The factory CEO said that they were using the underground water after seeking permission from institutions concerned. Upon which the court said, Bring them who allowed you to do so. Why not forward the matter to the NAB.
The CJP said that he had received a message that the factory owners were waiting for his retirement. Perhaps someone might have cracked a joke, he said. The hearing of the case will continue tomorrow. -Agencies/ NNI
