ISLAMABAD, April 28: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Sindh Government to ensure payment of compensation to Tahir Shaikha, whose land was acquired by the Government of Sindh, within one month, or get ready for facing contempt of court charges.

The Supreme Court which on the last hearing had directed the City Nazim and Secretary of Sindh Local Government to appear in person, adjourned the hearing of contempt of court petition for one month with the direction to the Government of Sindh to ensure compliance with the SC order, passed in 1999.

Both the officials did not appear on Monday. City Nazim Naimatullah submitted a medical certificate, stating that he was suffering from pain and swelling in left leg with high grade fever and thus was unable to appear. He asked the court to adjourn the hearing of the case.

The secretary of local government was represented by another official, Qazi Shahid, who shifted the responsibility of paying compensation to the city government, and asked the court to direct the City Nazim for payment. He stated that the City Government was autonomous and all resources and liabilities had been shifted to the City Government.

He further stated that City Nazim had agreed to make payments and the Supreme Court’s fresh direction should be aimed at the City Government, instead of the Sindh Government.

The court, comprising Chief Justice Sheikh Riaz Ahmad, Justice Mian Mohammad Ajmal and Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi, did not accede to the demand of the official, and asked the Government of Sindh to ensure the payment of compensation amount to the petitioner within a month.

Advocate Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim representing Tahir Shaikha said that he had nothing to do with the City Nazim, and neither he was interested in sending somebody behind the bars. He said the Government of Sindh was responsible for the payment of compensation.