Task forces: Punjab government given 3 weeks to file a reply

Petitioner contends that huge expenditures were being spent on maintenance of the offices.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought reply from the Punjab government within three weeks on a writ petition challenging establishment and functioning of different task forces and coordinators appointed by the Punjab government. Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry also admitted for regular hearing of the petition moved by Maqsood Abbas, a resident of Green Town.

The petitioner contended that huge expenditures were being spent on the maintenance of the offices of the task force chairmen and coordinators. He said a large number of vehicles have been handed over to them with the facilities of free fuel, telephones, traveling allowances and refreshments in their offices.

He said that the set up of these forces and coordinators was illegal and unconstitutional and has become a burden upon the national exchequer.

He alleged that the political leaders had started this practice to accommodate their party workers.

The petitioner had asked the court to direct the authorities concerned to wind up such establishments and stop the release of funds to them.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th, 2010.