'Services Tribunal has authority to enforce rulings'

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Services Tribunal has declared that the tribunal still holds the powers to enforce its orders despite the provincial government's legislation against it.

Tribunal Chairman Kaleem Arshad in his court order maintained that the provincial government had amended the Services Tribunal Act, eliminating the section related to the implementation of its orders.

However, the amendment was challenged in the Peshawar High Court, and the case is still pending, with the verdict still awaited.

The order cited several Supreme Court rulings, stressing the tribunal has the authority to enforce its orders as a court, and this power cannot be withdrawn.

The petitioners' lawyer, Ali Gohar Durrani, presented a video clip showing the provincial law minister was asked about the effects of withdrawing the tribunal's authority to enforce its orders. The minister clarified on the assembly floor that the tribunal retained its authority and could enforce its decisions.

Chairman Kaleem Arshad said in light of the Supreme Court decisions, these powers cannot be withdrawn from the tribunal.

The order stated that several petitions were sent to the Establishment Department regarding implementation.