LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday directed a petitioner to include Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif among the respondents in a petition against the chief minister for holding portfolios of at least 18 ministries.
As the court heard the case on Monday, Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked the petitioner, represented through his lawyer, why he had not arrayed the CM as party in the case. Advocate Noshab A Khan replied that he had not made CM as party since he enjoyed constitutional immunity. Justice Bandial said that the court would decide whether or not the chief minister enjoyed immunity.
The court adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period with directions to the petitioner to amend the petition and make CM as a respondent.
The petitioner has challenged impugned act of the Chief Minister in wake of loss of human lives due to use of unchecked substandard medicines in spite of having around 500 drug inspectors.
The lawyer, while contending his case, referred to Punjab Government Rules of Business 1974 and pointed out that it was beyond comprehension as to why the chief minister had concentrated all powers under him, maintaining portfolios of approximately 18 ministries. He said the tragedies like the one in Punjab Institute of Cardiology, would continue to occur if a full time minister was not appointed for health.
The petitioner further said that according to the rules, the relevant minister is responsible to conduct the business relating to his department in the assembly, whereas the chief minister did not even find time to attend the assembly sessions. He urged the court to declare the impugned act of the chief minister unconstitutional.
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Is this actually true? or is it just a joke?
Height of mismanagement. This is pathetic and cruel of killing innocents.