KARACHI, March 17: A division bench of the Sindh High Court has issued a notice to the National Bank of Pakistan president in a petition moved by a bank employee retired under the ‘golden handshake’ scheme.

The petitioner Iftikhar Alam submitted through Advocate Islam Husain that he was retired under the 1997 scheme but actually relieved on January 20, 1998. He should, therefore, be paid retirement benefits dues on that date. He pointed out that interim relief for all bank employees was announced on January 1, 1998, and his benefits should be calculated after including the raise.

The high court, Advocate Husain said, has held in several cases, including Khyber Zaman versus the State Bank that retiring employees should be paid financial benefits till the date they were actually relieved from service

Notice to DPO: The Sindh High Court issued notices to the district police officer of Thatta and other respondents in a petition alleging harassment.

Dr Farzana Akhter Qureshi moved the petition saying that she was being threatened and harassed by the DPO and others to deprive her of her petrol pump- situated on the Super Highway.

Issuing notices, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Faisal Arab directed the respondents not to interfere with the petitioner’s possession of the property. — Staff Reporter