The Sindh High Court sought on Friday a report on the Council of Common Interests meeting and census results, as it heard a plea challenging the inclusion of assistant commissioners, deputy commissioners and other officials in the committee formed for the delimitation of constituencies.
The report was sought by a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed.
According to the plea, the procedure for delineating constituencies was devised in 2013, following which, the constitution of a committee for the purpose is "against the law."
The plea moves the court declare the notification issues for the formation of the committee null and void.
Expressing annoyance over the delay in the issuance of the final notification for Census 2018, Justice Mazhar pointed out that local government polls were facing delays because of this.
The provincial election commission secretary also maintained that constituencies couldn't be defined in the absence of the final notification, adding that multiple letters seeking the issuance of the notification had been sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan, the National Assembly and other relevant authorities.
Besides, counsel for the election commission informed the court that census result had been announced but an official notification of the same had not been issued. He claimed the Sindh government had not been cooperating with the Centre and the election commission in the matter.
Adjourning the hearing till September 24, the court sought a report on the Council of Common Interests meeting and census results from the federal government.
Secretary summoned
Separately, the bench summoned the agriculture, supply and prices department secretary in personal capacity over a plea seeking the implementation of laws against black marketing and hoarding, leading to the shortage of wheat, sugar and other essential items.
The petitioner, Advocate Tariq Mansoor has maintained in the plea that the Hoarding and Black Marketing Act, 1948 had been enacted, requiring the appointment of special judges to deal with cases pertaining to the crises of essential food items and defining the penalties in case the law is violated. He has stated in the plea that the Karachi Essential Articles Processing, Profiteering and Hoarding Act 1953 has also been implemented in Karachi division but it couldn't be enforced elsewhere. In addition, the Sindh Godown Registration Act 1996 has been introduced but no results are achieved of it, according to the petitioner.
Moving the court to order the implementation of the said laws, the plea seels action against hoarders and profiteers.
At the hearing, the court expressed annoyance over the absence of of Supply and Price director general (DG).
"The DG hasn't been appointed since 2010. Isn't there any eligible official in Sindh to be appointed for the post?" remarked Justice Mazhar.
Sindh Additional Advocate General Shehryar Mehar informed the court that the government of Sindh had appointed an additional DG.
"Why hasn't a DG been appointed on permanent basis when it is required by the law?" inquired Justice Mazhar. "There should be an authority to head a department."
Moreover, Advocate Mansoor claimed not a single warehouse in Sindh was registered and the National Accountability Bureau had to recover stolen wheat.
"This happens when there is no one to head the department," said Justice Mazhar, adding that had DG been appointed, he would have taken action against hoarders.
Adjourning the hearing till October 13, the court summoned agriculture, supply and prices department secretary in personal capacity, seeking an explanation on the matter from him.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 12th, 2020.
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