Encroachments, hurdles: Municipal heads warned of contempt proceedings

Rawal and Potohar towns officials told to remove encroachments

RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench on Thursday warned contempt of court proceedings against heads of civic agencies of Rawalpindi, if they failed to remove encroachments from roads and markets.

While disposing of a petition filed by Advocate Anwar Dar seeking court directives for removing encroachments and hurdles from major markets and roads, Judge Ibadur Rehman Lodhi warned that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated against administrators of Rawal and Potohar towns and the Rawalpindi Development Authority director general, if they failed to remove encroachments in the city.

The district coordination officer, executive officers of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonment boards and municipal heads, submitted written replies stating that encroachments and hurdles from major roads and markets had been removed.

The court also directed the Punjab government to fill vacant posts in Rawal and Potohar towns and municipal bodies as shortage of staff was causing delay in removing the encroachments.

The petitioner told the court that the municipal authorities had failed to remove encroachments and clean 105 major drains besides removing illegal speed breakers.

Extra duty case

Meanwhile, Justice Lodhi stopped the EDO (health) from taking extra duty from doctors and paramedical staff working in basic health units (BHUs) and rural health centres (RHCs).

While taking up a petition filed by several doctors and paramedical staff working in rural health centres, the judge remarked that doctors and paramedics could not be forced and engaged for the dengue drive, in Ramazan bazaars or in Sunday bazaars.

The court deferred the hearing till September 8.

Citing the EDO health and secretary health as respondents, Dr Shahzed Ahmed and 14 other doctors and paramedics had moved the LHC.

The petitioners contended that BHUs and RHCs had been rendered non-functional as the EDO office had directed the staff to carry out duties in urban areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 3^rd, 2016.