Hearing adjourned as MQM-P voices no trust in judge

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has postponed the hearing of the petition of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) against more than 21,000 government jobs in the province till June 1.

The temperature of courtroom was high amid heated arguments as judges expressed anger over the emotional speeches of MQM-P counsel and disruptions by counsel for the Institute of Business Administration Sukkur

MQM's counsel has requested a 10-member larger bench to hear the petition.

A bench headed by Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro heard the MQM-P petition. Muttahida's counsel Advocate Tariq Mansoor said that it is a case of public interest therefore a full bench should be constituted for hearing.

Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro remarked that a separate petition should be filed for the formation of full bench. He further remarked, "The first thing to check is whether the application is admissible or not." On this Advocate Tariq Mansoor maintained that the court had considered the admissibility of the petition while issuing the restraining order. The earlier bench had shown partiality on which the court was furious over the arguments of the MQM lawyer regarding the judges.

Further, Justice Kalhoro and Justice Agha Faisal expressed anger over the MQM lawyer. Justice Kalhoro remarked, "we can reject the petition because of your behaviour. This is not a personal matter, why are you getting so emotional?"

The Institute of Business Administration Sukkur lawyer argued that the Sindh government had formulated a policy for grade five to 5 grade jobs. He maintained that screening was a requirement for government jobs.

The court also got angry with the IBA lawyer for interfering during the interrogation. The court directed the lawyers to answer the questions in turn. This is not a personal matter.

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Advocate Mansoor in his arguments stated that no written reply has been submitted by the Sindh government and other parties so far on which the court remarked that you are being repeatedly told not to be so emotional and don't blame anyone. While addressing advocate Tariq Mansoor, Justice Kalhoro maintained, "The court will not take your dictation."

The IBA lawyer informed the court that 1,152,000 applications have been received for government jobs in the province and the screening process has stopped due to restraining order. The court remarked that the hearing is being adjourned, the final decision on the application will be taken by the relevant bench. The court adjourned further hearing till June 1.

Earlier, the Muttahida lawyer filed a written petition expressing no confidence in Justice Karim Khan Agha of the Sindh High Court regarding government jobs in Sindh.

Muttahida lawyer Tariq Mansoor Advocate expressed no confidence in Justice Karim Khan Agha in a petition regarding more than 21,000 government jobs in Sindh.

Advocate Tariq Mansoor in the petition has taken a stand that Justice KK Agha has shown partiality in the case. Summoning Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was tantamount to creating a political issue. Justice KK Agha has been in relations with Zardari and Bhutto family.

The petition said that Justice Karim Khan Agha was also appointed Additional Attorney General during the tenure of Yousuf Raza Gilani. MQM convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui was summoned unnecessarily. Justice KK Agha has lost confidence in this petition. A full bench should be constituted to hear this petition and senior judges should be included in the full bench.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2022.