KARACHI: Registration of aliens to safeguard their interests, submits govt
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 5: Registration of aliens under the Foreigners’ Act is meant to safeguard their interests, a federal government law officer submitted before the Sindh High Court on Wednesday.
Deputy Attorney-General Nadeem Azhar Siddiqui said the Foreigners’ Act had been amended to register aliens and regularize their stay in Pakistan.
He was arguing against a writ petition moved on behalf of a detained Bangladeshi national, who said he had applied for registration but was not being registered by the National Aliens Registration Authority.
The petitioner said the Nara refusal to register a detained alien was discriminatory and, therefore, barred under Article 25 of the Constitution. Those who were free were at liberty to apply for registration.
Appearing for the respondent federal and provincial governments, DAG Nadeem Azhar and Additional Advocate-General Sarwar Khan submitted that detention was a consequence of non- registration. The registration helped the government maintain a record of the aliens staying in Pakistan. They could be allowed to stay, be gainfully employed during their stay and deported if they indulged in unlawful activities. They were also prevented from obtaining fake identity cards and passports on the basis of bogus documents.
A division bench, comprising Justices Zahid Kurban Alavi and Gulzar Ahmed, observed that it required more assistance to ascertain why the facility of registration could not be extended to aliens in custody. The law officers and the petitioner’s counsel were asked to make detailed submissions on Nov 11.
IT INSPECTORS PLEA: The bench issued notices to the respondents for Nov 11 in a petition moved by 23 income tax inspectors against direct recruitment to the posts of income tax officers in Grade-16.
The petitioners submitted through Advocate Nawaz Shaikh that under a 1981 notification, the posts of ITOs, previously designated as “assistant ITOs”, were to be filled by promotion from amongst the IT employees on seniority-cum-fitness basis. There was no provision for direct recruitment under the law or rules.
The petitioners have cited the establishment secretary, the Central Board of Revenue and the FPSC as respondents.
CONVICTION UPHELD: A division bench, comprising Justices Wahid Bux Brohi and Rehmat Hussain Jaferi, meanwhile, upheld the conviction of two appellants for murder by a special court for suppression of terrorist activities. The convicts, Misro and Punno, had murdered Ghulam Sarwar on the suspicion of his having illicit relations with women related to them. They were awarded life imprisonment and fined Rs 50,000 each.
Defending the impugned judgment, state counsel Jawed Akhtar submitted that the ocular evidence against the appellants was fully supported by the medico-legal report produced in the special court. The eye-witnesses who deposed against them in the trial court had no personal enmity with the accused.
NOTICES ISSUED: A bench of the Sindh High Court on Wednesday issued pre-admission notice to Malir Cantonment Board for Dec 13 on a suit filed by one Saeed Ahmed, adds APP.
The plaintiff moved the court alleging that a petrol pump site was leased out to him for 10 years on a monthly rental of Rs20,000.
The plaintiff maintained that in the previous week his petrol pump was sealed by the CBM authorities.
The bench, after hearing the counsel for plaintiff, ordered maintenance of status quo.
Notice: A division bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC), comprising Justice Zahid Kurban Alavi on Wednesday issued pre- admission notice to Central Board of Revenue, Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and Establishment Division for Nov 11 in a constitution petition filed by Makhdoom M. Aslam and 21 other inspectors of Pakistan Customs.
Mohammed Nawaz Shaikh, advocate, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that as per policy decision half of the senior posts are to be filled through departmental promotions while half by direct recruitment through FPSC but the said policy is being violated.
The counsel submitted that CBR earlier appointed 126 people and now another advertisement for filling 76 more seats has been published.
The bench after initial arguments by the counsel for petitioner issued notices to respondents for Nov 11.
