Mayor throws down gauntlet at LGC, files plea in IHC

In another case, court seeks report on conventions for prisoners’ rights to which Pakistan is signatory

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz has challenged the recommendation for his suspension by the Local Government Commission (LGC) as well as its formation in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday.

The Interior Ministry secretary, Special Assistant to PM on Capital Development Authority (CDA) Affairs Ali Nawaz Awan, and the LGC have been made respondents in the petition filed through Adil Aziz Qazi Advocate.

The mayor contended that the suggestion by the LGC regarding his suspension was illegal and asked the court to stop the LGC Chairperson Awan from working as he was biased towards him. Aziz also prayed the IHC to declare recommendations of the commission as null and void.

The nine-member LGC —set up by the federal government under the interior ministry for improving the state of affairs of Islamabad’s local government — met on Thursday to review the performance of the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Mayor Aziz.

LGC forms inquiry panel against mayor

The LGC chairperson had recommended suspending Aziz over allegation of abuse of power and financial and administrative irregularities.

However, commission’s member Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed objected to removing an elected local body representative after which the meeting decided to form an inquiry committee. The IHC will take up the case next week.

Hearing on holiday

Though it was a holiday, the IHC Chief Justice Ather Minallah heard the human rights issue case regarding condition of prisoners in the jails across the country.

Directing the Human Rights Ministry to submit a detailed report on the condition of inmates in jails across the country in the registrar’s office by next hearing, Chief Justice Minallah said he would announce a detailed verdict in the case.

The representatives of ministries of health and human rights as well as deputy attorney general (DAG) attended the hearing.

During the hearing, the commission formed on IHC’s directions to probe into the matter submitted its initial report. The commission members informed that the chief secretaries of all four provinces have informed through letters to submit details on the implementation of human rights in jails in their respective provinces.

Meanwhile, the court has sought a reply from the federal government that how many global conventions on prisoners’ rights Pakistan was a signatory to, while the attorney general was asked to assist on whether or not the court could issue orders regarding any of those conventions.

After the conclusion of arguments, the court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

Health secretary reply sought

The IHC on Saturday sought a reply from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSRC) on the contempt plea filed by the ex-employees of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

D-day for Mayor Aziz today

The IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued one-page verdict stating that the petitioners accused the secretary of violating the court orders regarding restoration of the council.

It directed a competent official to appear on behalf of the secretary in the next hearing to clarify why a notification for sealing the PMDC was issued despite the court orders.

The case would be heard on March 19 by a bench led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, the order said.

The ex-employees had claimed in the application that they were not being allowed to enter the building despite court orders. The petitioners pleaded the IHC to initiate contempt of court proceeding against the secretary of the ministry and other respondents for not implementing the court orders.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2020.