SHC issues notices on plea against privatisation of PIA

Federal government, CAA, PC and others made parties in the petition

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court sent notices to the federal government, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Privatisation Commission (PC) and others on a petition against the possible privatisation of PIA.

Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi of the SHC heading a two-member bench, heard the plea.

The privatisation law has been challenged in the petition, said Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi who questioned, "Why the petitioner is against the privatisation."

The petitioner's attorney argued that basically, the said amendment contradicts the Companies Act. How can PIA be privatised when the law amendment itself is incorrect? People's Unity holds 4 per cent shares in PIA. The government no longer owns PIA as the shares have already been sold.

Why is the union concerned about the ownership of PIA if it has been sold to a private company, anyone can become the owner, stated the CJ.

The petitioner's attorney said the amendment regarding PIA has been made against the Companies Act. “According to the 2016 legislation, the PIA has been a Public Limited Company." The federal government introduced an amendment in the law under which it got the authority to privatise it,” the attorney said. The law passed by the federal government was wrong, and this amendment could not be made. "It is a matter of public interest," the attorney said and urged the court to issue notice to the government and seek their answer. The attorney further said the Privatisation Act of 2016 was amended in 2023.

The court issued notices to the Federal Government, CCA, PIA, Privatisation Commission and other parties to respond on April 3. The court sought an explanation from the federal government regarding the possible privatisation of PIA.

Illegal construction

The SHC has ordered the deputy commissioner to provide an implementation report pertaining to a petition against the illegal constructions on the parkland in Scheme 33. Usman Farooq Advocate contended that illegal construction is allegedly happening in Lyari Society Park in Scheme 33. Builder mafia is seizing control of the park. Residents of the area are worried about illegal construction and occupation.

The court sought the implementation report from the deputy commissioner while instructing the DC east to restore the amenity plot to its original condition.

Ban on recruitments

The SHC extended the timeline to April 15 on the ongoing injunction on the plea of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) regarding the ban on jobs from Grade 1 to 15 in government departments.

Sindh Employees Social Security Institution (SESSI) lawyer Barrister Salahuddin appeared before the court and presented the arguments.

The court extended the ongoing injunction on the jobs. The court postponed the hearing to April 15 and sought details from the SESSI regarding the recruitment at the subsequent hearing.

MQM had filed a petition against the recruitments. The court has banned government jobs from Grades 1 to 15.