SHC seeks replies over petition against use of CNG cylinders in school vans

Several lives were lost in accidents due to defective CNG cylinders, says petitioner

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) sought replies from parties yet again on Monday while hearing the petition against the use of CNG cylinders in school vans. A two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal heard the petition.

Replies were sought by the court earlier as well but the parties have not submitted them as yet. The court adjourned the hearing till August 8.

The petition argues that several lives were lost in accidents caused by defective CNG cylinders in school vans.

Pensions withheld

The same bench summoned Sindh Small Industries Managing Director Sarwat Fahim over a petition moved against the former director of Sindh Small Industries department for withholding pensions and benefits of a retired employee.

Petitioner Abdul Ghaffar's counsel maintained that his client had worked in the department for 40 years. An audit exposed Rs1 billion worth of corruption in the department. A reference of Rs40m has also been filed against Fahim and others. The counsel said that the management withheld pension and benefits after the corruption was exposed. The court expressed its displeasure over the submission of the department's counsel.

"How is it possible to withhold the pension of a retired employee?" questioned Justice Mazhar.

The court adjourned hearing till August 15.

Non-payment of salaries

The same bench expressed annoyance while hearing the petition pertaining to non-payment of salaries and contract employees not being made permanent and directed that the outstanding salaries of five months of 26 teachers at Steel Mill Aghosh Special Children School be released immediately.

The petitioners' counsel maintained that the teachers had been working for 10 to 15 years but their contracts have not been made permanent. He said that orders were issued on May 31, 2018 to make the contract teachers permanent but their salaries were withheld instead. The counsel added that some of the teachers are hearing-impaired and some are physically paralysed.

The bench directed immediate release of outstanding salaries.

The court adjourned hearing till August 22.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2019.