A file photo of local buses in Karachi. PHOTO: EXPRESS
A two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal heard the plea.
The petitioner's counsel maintained that the transport mafia was out of control. No notification pertaining to public transport fare has been issued since 2015, but the fare for public transport vehicles has been rising, he argued.
An official of the transport department told the court that a committee has been formed for fixing the official fares for public transport. A decision would be made soon, he said. The deputy inspector-general (DIG) of traffic police submitted his reply before the court and the bench expressed annoyance at the absence of his signature on the reply.
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The court directed the government lawyer to write a letter to the Sindh IGP and inform him about how reports were being submitted before the court. "Are you not aware that a written reply requires a signature?" remarked the bench, addressing the DIG.
The bench inquired who permitted the transport mafia to do as it pleases, and asked whether the transport department has a system in place to fix the fares.
The transport department was directed to immediately fix public transport fares according to the law with a warning of contempt of court notice against them if the directives aren't followed through.
Transgender rights
The bench directed the Centre to submit a report after making the rules for the rights of transgender persons in 60 days while hearing the plea filed on non-compliance with laws pertaining to the rights of transgender persons.
The petition was filed by advocate Tariq Mansoor. He argued that the legislation for the rights of transgender persons was done in 2018 but the rules for compliance with the new laws haven't been made as yet.
The reply submitted by the federal ministry for human rights stated that the process of making rules had begun after the law was legislated and a committee was formed for this purpose.
"Rules could not be made in a year?" questioned the bench.
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"Transgender persons would be prevented from begging but where would they go for employment. Rules should be made for the provision of employment for transgender persons," said Justice Mazhar, adding that matters progress through implementation on the laws made, not just legislation.
The bench directed the federal human rights ministry to make the rules and submit a report within 60 days.
College lecturers
Meanwhile, the bench sought an explanation from the Sindh Tdepartment by November 15 while hearing a plea pertaining to the non-provision of timescale to government college lecturers.
The petitioner's counsel maintained that the Sindh education and literacy department provided time-scale to school teachers but college lecturers weren't provided the same. He argued that many lecturers retire on the same scale despite giving 30 years of service.
The court sought an explanation from the education department by November 15. The department was directed to mention the number of years of service of these employees and why they were not being provided the time-scale.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2019.
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