Contempt of court: Railway minister, secretary issued notice

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notices on Friday to Pakistan Railways authorities, including the federal minister, on a petition filed by the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club management accusing them of violating court orders.

Barrister Syed Ali Zafar, counsel for the club management, said the respondent authorities were guilty of contempt of court in not de-sealing the club’s administrative block. He said the railway police was still deployed at the club in violation of a court direction.

He requested the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the minister, the Pakistan Railways secretary and the inspector general of police.

On July 4, the court had provisionally allowed the club management to resume sporting facilities and some other services without affecting the possession of Pakistan Railways.

Addressing a press conference after the court order, Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq had said the railways would honour the court’s directive.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2016.