Defying orders: NHA chief issued contempt notice
In May this year, over 70 NHA employees, sacked by the PML-N government in 1997, had filed a petition seeking their reinstatement. PHOTO: FILE
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday issued a contempt notice to the chairman of National Highway Authority (NHA) for not complying with court orders.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui summoned NHA Chairman Maroof Afzal on October 11 for not complying with court orders. During the course of hearing on Wednesday, the court expressed displeasure over NHA chief’s absence and issued him a contempt notice.
Justice Siddiqui had summoned Afzal on October 9 in response to a contempt application filed by sacked employees of NHA who had requested contempt of court proceedings against him. In May this year, over 70 NHA employees, sacked by the PML-N government in 1997, had filed a petition seeking their reinstatement. The court had directed chairman NHA to address their grievances but the authority failed to do so.
Zille Huma, the petitioners’ counsel said of the 400 NHA employees sacked in 1997, 70 had moved the court for reinstatement of their services. “The court had directed the NHA chief to address their grievances but its orders were not followed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2013.