Illegal transfer of land: Sindh High Court grants Qaim Ali Shah protective bail
Seeks report on plea for lump sum payment of compensation in Baldia factory fire case
Sindh High Court. PHOTO: EXPRESS
KARACHI:
Taking notice of the petition filed by family members of the Baldia factory fire incident's victims, the Sindh High Court (SHC) sought a report from the authorities. The petition calls for lump sum payment of the compensation to the legal heirs of the Baldia factory fire victims.
A two-member bench heard the petition demanding payment of the compensation. A large number of the victims' heirs were present in the court. The petition was filed on behalf of over 35 family members of the victims.
Judicial commission demands report on water schedule in Baldia
A representative of the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (Sessi), who was present in court on behalf of the government, was asked why the government was not making lump sum payment to the heirs of the deceased. The representative responded they had only been directed to distribute the compensation as per the schedule of the provincial government. "If you order the provincial government or its concerned institution for lump sum payment, we shall abide," he said.
The court directed the provincial government to submit a report relating to lump sum payment of the compensation in the next hearing. The petition had stated that an amount in excess of Rs600 million was available but was being paid in the form of pension. We demand that the compensation is given as lump sum payment, it stated.
In 2015, KiK Textilien, a German company, had provided an amount in excess of Rs600 million to Sessi.
Illegal land transfer case
Former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah approached on Tuesday the SHC and filed an application seeking protective bail in connection with a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) notice served on him.
Shah is accused of illegally allotting land in Malir for a developmental project.
The NAB had issued the notice to Shah in an illegal transfer of land case.
In his plea, Shah said the NAB had issued notices to him in the case and it could lead to his arrest. He pleaded the court to issue orders for his protective bail.
Shah stated that he did not have objections on investigation by NAB but it should be stopped from arresting him. ''We will cooperate with the NAB for an investigation,'' the ex-CM said.
In the earlier hearing on November 5, Shah had reportedly refused to appear before the NAB and raised reservations over the bureau's investigating officer, saying that the NAB officer was targeting him due to personal enmity.
Currently the anti-graft watchdog is investigating 19 corruption cases against important figures in Sindh.
Shah has thrice served as the chief minister of Sindh. The court approved the application and granted protective bail against a surety of Rs1 million.
Dual nationality case
Expressing displeasure over the absence of Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda, the SHC granted extension to the defence counsel to submit arguments in a case relating to dual nationality.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, heard the bail plea over the disqualification of the minister because he holds dual nationality.
The counsel of the minister submitted the power of attorney in court. Justice Mazhar remarked that it had become difficult for the court to implement the notice.
The justice said that despite serving the notice five times, he had declined receiving it, adding that the notice sent through the district judge of Islamabad was also not received.
He said that the notices were forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan, National Assembly Speaker and ministry. He said that the guard does not receive the notices. They [the guards] decline, stating that they have been instructed to do so.
The court adjourned the hearing until December 5.
The court also provided a copy of the petition to the counsel.
Baldia factory fire: 12 more witnesses record their statements
Hearing adjourned
The SHC adjourned the hearing against a review appeal filed by Muhajir Quami Movement Chairperson Afaq Ahmed due to the absence of state prosecutor.
A two-member bench heard the appeal against the conviction. Ahmed was present in court, however, due to the absence of the state prosecutor, the hearing was adjourned till December 6.
According to the police, Ahmed has been awarded life imprisonment in a murder case. He has been released on bail.
Muttahida Quami Movement leader Amir Khan has also been nominated in the case.
The case against them is registered at the Landhi police station.
With additional input from PPI
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2018.
Taking notice of the petition filed by family members of the Baldia factory fire incident's victims, the Sindh High Court (SHC) sought a report from the authorities. The petition calls for lump sum payment of the compensation to the legal heirs of the Baldia factory fire victims.
A two-member bench heard the petition demanding payment of the compensation. A large number of the victims' heirs were present in the court. The petition was filed on behalf of over 35 family members of the victims.
Judicial commission demands report on water schedule in Baldia
A representative of the Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (Sessi), who was present in court on behalf of the government, was asked why the government was not making lump sum payment to the heirs of the deceased. The representative responded they had only been directed to distribute the compensation as per the schedule of the provincial government. "If you order the provincial government or its concerned institution for lump sum payment, we shall abide," he said.
The court directed the provincial government to submit a report relating to lump sum payment of the compensation in the next hearing. The petition had stated that an amount in excess of Rs600 million was available but was being paid in the form of pension. We demand that the compensation is given as lump sum payment, it stated.
In 2015, KiK Textilien, a German company, had provided an amount in excess of Rs600 million to Sessi.
Illegal land transfer case
Former Sindh chief minister Qaim Ali Shah approached on Tuesday the SHC and filed an application seeking protective bail in connection with a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) notice served on him.
Shah is accused of illegally allotting land in Malir for a developmental project.
The NAB had issued the notice to Shah in an illegal transfer of land case.
In his plea, Shah said the NAB had issued notices to him in the case and it could lead to his arrest. He pleaded the court to issue orders for his protective bail.
Shah stated that he did not have objections on investigation by NAB but it should be stopped from arresting him. ''We will cooperate with the NAB for an investigation,'' the ex-CM said.
In the earlier hearing on November 5, Shah had reportedly refused to appear before the NAB and raised reservations over the bureau's investigating officer, saying that the NAB officer was targeting him due to personal enmity.
Currently the anti-graft watchdog is investigating 19 corruption cases against important figures in Sindh.
Shah has thrice served as the chief minister of Sindh. The court approved the application and granted protective bail against a surety of Rs1 million.
Dual nationality case
Expressing displeasure over the absence of Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda, the SHC granted extension to the defence counsel to submit arguments in a case relating to dual nationality.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, heard the bail plea over the disqualification of the minister because he holds dual nationality.
The counsel of the minister submitted the power of attorney in court. Justice Mazhar remarked that it had become difficult for the court to implement the notice.
The justice said that despite serving the notice five times, he had declined receiving it, adding that the notice sent through the district judge of Islamabad was also not received.
He said that the notices were forwarded to the Election Commission of Pakistan, National Assembly Speaker and ministry. He said that the guard does not receive the notices. They [the guards] decline, stating that they have been instructed to do so.
The court adjourned the hearing until December 5.
The court also provided a copy of the petition to the counsel.
Baldia factory fire: 12 more witnesses record their statements
Hearing adjourned
The SHC adjourned the hearing against a review appeal filed by Muhajir Quami Movement Chairperson Afaq Ahmed due to the absence of state prosecutor.
A two-member bench heard the appeal against the conviction. Ahmed was present in court, however, due to the absence of the state prosecutor, the hearing was adjourned till December 6.
According to the police, Ahmed has been awarded life imprisonment in a murder case. He has been released on bail.
Muttahida Quami Movement leader Amir Khan has also been nominated in the case.
The case against them is registered at the Landhi police station.
With additional input from PPI
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2018.