PHC raps govt over unpaid EPI salaries

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday summoned the Secretary Finance in his personal capacity while hearing a petition against the non-payment of salaries to technicians working under the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in the provincial Health Department.

The case was heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah. At the outset of the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners, Alam Khan Adinzai, informed the court that around 300 EPI technicians had not received their salaries for the past 18 months, causing severe financial hardship. He stated that despite performing regular duties, the technicians were being denied timely payment of wages.

Addressing the petitioner's counsel, the Chief Justice remarked that he himself was representing the Chief Minister and questioned why the matter had been brought before the court when the counsel's own government was in power. "If even you bring your government's issues to the court, what should others say?" the Chief Justice observed.

The counsel replied that although the provincial cabinet had approved the matter, the concerned department had failed to release the salaries despite repeated requests. He added that the technicians had been pushed to the brink of starvation due to the prolonged delay and were left with no option but to seek judicial intervention. He requested the court to issue immediate orders for the release of the withheld salaries.

During the resumed hearing, a representative of the Finance Department appeared before the court and stated that a summary regarding the salaries had been sent to the Secretary Health for approval. He sought time to submit a detailed report to the court.

The Chief Justice directed the Additional Advocate General to present the relevant record pertaining to the salary summary at the next hearing.

Separately, PHC issued notices to the federal and provincial governments in five petitions seeking the recovery of missing persons, while referring the case of a missing student from Dera Ismail Khan to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

During the hearing, Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court, Justice SM Atiq Shah, made strong remarks regarding police responsibility, questioning how individuals could go missing despite the presence of police in their areas.

He observed that the Station House Officer (SHO) is responsible for everything that happens within his jurisdiction and must be aware of who has taken whom into custody.

"If an SHO has no knowledge of what is happening in his area, then such a person is not fit to hold the post," the Chief Justice remarked.

The cases were heard by a bench headed by Chief Justice Justice SM Atiq Shah. At the outset of the proceedings, lawyers for the petitioners, Deputy Attorney General Atif Nazir, the Additional Advocate General, and police officials appeared before the court.