29 October 2004	Friday	14 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Oct 28: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought comments from the Punjab chief secretary and the agriculture secretary on a petition against the appointment of deputy directors.

Assistant director Shaukat Ali of the agriculture department submitted that in spite of being the senior-most, he was not promoted as deputy director. Two assistant directors who were junior to him were promoted on a directive of the chief minister.

Justice Jamshed Ali observed that out-of-turn appointments, promotions and transfers were being made on the directives of the chief minister.

SUMMONED: A division bench of the Lahore High Court summoned the prison authorities concerned along with the record of a prisoner who had been denied remission.

Allah Rakha had submitted that he was sentenced to 14 years for attempt to murder, but was not given the concession announced by the government from time to time. Had he been given a remission of 12 months, he would have been released by now.

Admitting the plea for regular hearing, Justices Mian Najamuz Zaman and Syed Sakhi Husain Bokhari observed that all convicts should be given the benefit of remission unless announced otherwise.