SHC orders removal of illegal RO plants in Karachi

The Sindh High Court directed the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) on Tuesday to remove illegal reverse osmosis (RO) plants from across the city and submit a reply before the court.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Kausar Sultana Hussain, was hearing a petition against RO plants set up illegally in the city, including one established in a residential building in North Nazimabad.

The SFA's legal director appeared before the bench and faced the court's ire.

The bench inquired why the SFA was not carrying out its work, asking whether a show-cause notice should be issued.

The legal director assured the bench that action would be taken against illegal RO plants and a report submitted before the court in this regard.

Issuing directives for action against all illegal RO plants in the city, the bench adjourned the hearing for three weeks.

The petitioner had contended that an RO plant was illegally installed in a residential building in North Nazimabad. According to the petitioner, the plant was not inspected nor was permission sought from any relevant agency.

Trial records sought

Meanwhile, a bench comprising Justice KK Agha and Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi sought trial records of a case pertaining to corruption in the Fishermen's Cooperative Society (FCS) and a report from the accountability court.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by former FSC vice chairperson Sultan Qamar Siddiqui, an accused in the case.

The trial against former FSC chairperson Nisar Morai, Qamar Siddiqui and others has entered its final phase with counsels of the parties presenting their arguments, said the National Accountability Bureau prosecutor.

The court sought details of the trial from the accountability court by November 4.

Contempt of court

Separately, the high court reserved judgement on a contempt of court petition filed against the police and others for failure to vacate the premises of Islamia College.

According to the petitioner, the Supreme Court had ordered the college building be vacated and handed over to the trustees. The Sindh government and the police were not implementing the apex court's orders, argued the petitioner, praying the court to take contempt of court action against the relevant officials.

Sindh Advocate-General Salman Talibuddin maintained that the petitioner had not filed any application with the competent authority till date. He requested an immediate hearing of the review petition in the apex court.

The court reserved its verdict after the completion of arguments.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2020.