SHC tells parties to submit replies on Vawda’s petition

Akhter’s lawyer says the plea was filed to gain public sympathy

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered parties, including petitioner Faisal Vawda, to submit reply till January 18 in the case of alleged billions of rupees corruption in government funds by city administration. A two-member bench heard the plea against Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhter.

Vawda and his lawyer didn't appear before the court. Akhter's lawyer, Shaukat Hayat, argued that the plea against his client had been filed to gain public sympathy and favour before elections. He said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was an independent organisation and capable of taking action against any complaint itself.



The plea stated that despite issuance of billions of rupees to Akhter for city's development, the condition of the city did not improve. It said that every department was facing financial mismanagement and corruption. It requested the court to direct NAB Chairman to investigate the case and asked for an independent audit of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). Till then, the plea requested that all the accounts of KMC funds be frozen.

Illegal slaughter houses

The SHC issued notices to Karachi Mayor and senior veterinary doctor of the KMC on petition against illegal slaughter houses in different residential areas and summoned replies by January 17. A two-member bench heard the plea.

The petitioner's lawyer argued that slaughter houses were being run illegally in Karachi and the authorities were not taking any action against them. The lawyer requested the court to order an operation against these slaughterhouses.

Food poisoning

The SHC granted another extension to parties to submit reply regarding the report of food authority, in the plea against sealing of a private restaurant in Clifton. Two children allegedly died after eating there. A two-member bench heard the case.

The court directed the parties to submit and adjourned the hearing till December 14.

Notice issued

The SHC again issued notices to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) regarding the bail plea of Taha Raza, accused in money laundering case of billions of rupees. A two-member bench heard the plea.

The lawyer for the accused, Shaukat Hayat, argued that since FIA had failed to submit the final chalan in banking court, a reply should be summoned from FIA. The court ordered FIA to submit reply by January 2. Taha Raza was arrested by FIA and is in jail on judicial remand.



TDAP corruption case

The SHC, in the case against former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, directed his lawyer, Farooq H Naik, to ensure his presence at the next hearing. A two-member bench, headed by Naimatullah Phulpoto, heard the plea.

A junior lawyer informed the court that Naik was busy at the Sukkur bench. The court adjourned the hearing without any proceedings. The date of the next hearing was not notified.

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) corruption case is under trial at federal anti-corruption court that has already indicted Gilani. The plea argued that 26 cases had already been filed against Gilani in TDAP scandal and FIA should be stopped from filing more cases. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2018.