Contempt orders issued against IMC officials

Show cause directs officials to explain why they did not hand over charge of the zoo

ISLAMABAD: Contempt proceedings have been initiated against two senior officials of the federal capital’s metropolitan corporation for failing to transfer charge of the zoo to the climate change ministry. Show cause notices have been dispatched to the corporation’s two senior officers.

A written order of contempt of court was issued by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Wednesday in the improper care of animals at the Margharzar Zoo of the federal capital.

In the contempt of court notice, Chief Justice Minallah stated that the court was initiating contempt proceedings against the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Director Rana Tahir and his Deputy Director Muhammad Bilal Khilji.

Subsequently, show cause notices were issued to both officials with directions to file their written replies within four days.

The Islamabad Adcovate General was also directed to prepare to prosecute the two IMC officials and appear before the court when it next hears the case.

The notices came after the Ministry of Climate Change secretary submitted a report to the court in which the ministry stated that the IMC Director Tahir and Deputy Director Khilji had violated the court order.

Lifetime token tax

IHC Chief Justice Minallah on Wednesday reserved his verdict on whether a petition against increasing the lifetime token tax on four-wheel passenger cars and motorbikes is maintainable.

During a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, the lawyer for the petitioner argued before the court that the lifetime token tax for a motorbike has been increased to Rs1,000.

On hearing this, Chief Justice Minallah remarked that the petitioner should judiciously use petrol and redirect savings to pay the tax.

At this, the lawyer continued that the lifetime token tax on cars has also been increased.

After hearing the arguments of the lawyer, the court reserved its verdict on the maintainability of the petition.

Power cut

Owing to an unannounced power cut, the offices of the IHC were plunged into darkness on Wednesday.

This partially impacted work in the office, while court proceedings also ground to a halt.

The power was restored after a gap of two hours and work resumed. Court staff said that the power outage disrupted not only their work but also disturbed petitioners. Officials said that all court proceedings are recorded on computers while orders are also drafted on the machines which all require power to work. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2019.