Public-sector companies: CJP irked by ‘hefty’ salaries

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Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday sought a report on “hefty” salaries being paid by the Punjab government to officers of 56 public-sector companies.

The top judge issued the directive while hearing a suo motu case on the salary structure of public-sector companies at the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry.

“You have given everything to the private sector,” the chief justice remarked while hearing the case.

At the outset of the proceedings, Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Saeed, who was responding to a court query, said the Punjab government had established 56 companies.

However, the reply irked the CJP who remarked that they would not let the public money be wasted. “If you can’t serve people, then quit,” he said.

Justice Nisdar directed the chief secretary to come up with a detailed report on the salaries, perks and privileges being paid to the officers of public-sector companies. He said that retired officers should volunteer their services for the betterment of the system rather than accepting jobs on high salaries.

The court adjourned the hearing till April 1.



Formula milk

The Supreme Court once again refused to give permission to formula milk manufacturing companies to sell their products without printing on their packets that “it is not natural milk”.

During the proceedings, the formula milk companies presented an advertisement before the court, saying it had been clearly mentioned on the packets that “it is food nutrient for the child of more than six months of age”.

Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, who was representing the company, said it had also been mentioned on the sachets that “breastfeeding is the best food”.

The chief justice asked the counsel for the companies to mention that “this formula is for the six-month-old child”.

Barrister Ahsan said they had already complied with the previous order and mentioned the given directions on the packets of their products.

To this, the chief justice observed that they had already ordered the companies to clearly mention it on their products that “it is not natural milk”.

“We can’t allow till it is done,” he said.

The CJP restrained the companies from using the word ‘milk’ on their products.

Addressing Barrister Ahsan, the CJP said that Rs10,000 fine imposed on him during the last hearing had been paid from his own pocket. The CJP quoted his son who said he would pay the fine on his uncle (Aitzaz).

The bench directed the importers of formula milk manufacturers to end their stocks within six months and gave four months to locals to end the stocks, comply with the court orders and adjourned further proceedings.



Also, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Punjab advocate general and the health secretary, asking them to justify the creation of the Strategic Management and Internal Policy Unit (SM&IPU) in Punjab’s Specialised Healthcare & Medical Education Department. The bench also sought details of companies formed by the Punjab government in the province.

The two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, passed the orders while hearing suo motu notices regarding SM&IPU and Drug Testing Laboratory, at the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry.

The bench, adjourning the hearing, ordered the lab to complete the testing of pending drugs in 15 days.

The Supreme Court also summoned members of a commission formed by the Lahore High Court (LHC) to look into the causes of smog and rising air pollution, to know the progress made so far in the matter.

The bench also sought the opinion of members on the solution recommended by the environment department to address the issue.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan passed the orders while hearing a suo motu notice case against rising air pollution, at the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry.

The bench adjourned further hearing and summoned members of the commission after it was informed that the LHC had already formed a bench to look into causes of smog and rising air pollution

The Supreme Court also ordered private medical colleges to refund the fee received in excess of Rs850,000 to students within one month.

The court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate the recognition given to private medical colleges during the tenure of former president of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) Dr Asim Hussain, and submit a report within one month.

The court also ordered private medical colleges to accommodate some students who deserved admission on merit but could not get admission to any public or private sector colleges.

 

With additional input from APP