LHC hints at summoning Buzdar in contempt case

Appointment of University of Agriculture Faisalabad VC by Pervaiz Elahi challenged

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday, while hearing an application of former University of Agriculture Faisalabad vice chancellor seeking contempt proceedings against Punjab Chief Minister and Punjab Assembly Speaker, remarked that the court would summon Usman Buzdar if it does not receive a reply in the next hearing.

Justice Sajid Mehmood Sethi of the LHC heard the plea of Dr Iqrar Ahmed wherein the applicant adopted the stance that he had been appointed as the vice chancellor of agricultural university twice from 2008 to 2016.

 He said that he had applied for the position of vice chancellor against the Punjab government’s advertisement in 2016.

 He further said that during this period, a case regarding the appointment of vice chancellor continued in courts for two years.

 The plea stated that Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi in his capacity as the acting chancellor had issued the notification for the appointment of Muhammad Ashraf, which was in violation of the merit.

 It further said that after the Supreme Court’s decision, the appointment of vice chancellor had to be made on merit.

 The applicant stated that he stood first in the merit list but the Punjab CM and other officials were not following the court’s orders.

 He requested the court to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Punjab CM and others.

 The court observed that it would summon Punjab CM if it does not receive a reply in the next hearing and put off the case until October 12.