SHC summons home secretary on Haleem’s plea

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has summoned the Sindh home secretary on a petition related to providing security to the Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phalphoto heard the petition.

The counsel of the petitioner submitted that the position of the opposition leader is second after the chief minister. Four personnel are given in which two come on one day and two on the other. Farzana and Azra Pichuho have 10 security personnel while Manzoor Wasan has nine.

Security has been given to those who do not have any position. Secretary Sindh Assembly has written a letter to give security as per the law.

Regarding Sheikh, it was said that security would be provided after the scrutiny.

The court remarked that the security of the VIPs was not fair. Why has this attitude been adopted in the case of Haleem Adil Sheikh? Sindh home secretary should appear in person and explain at the next hearing.

Apart from this, a two-member bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi heard a petition against the sealing of 47 auto shops and showrooms in Cantonment Board Clifton.

Counsel for the petitioners submitted that action has been taken against auto scrapyards in Phase I and II. The law under which the action was taken does not apply.

Cantonment Board's counsel took the stand that junkyards, auto shops, showrooms occupy the space till the streets. Despite warnings encroachments have not been removed. The Cantonment is empowered to take action in such a situation.

The court remarked that what is the authority, can you shoot people? Explain this.

Cantonment Board counsel sought time to reply.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2023.