ISLAMABAD: As the issue of non-payment of sugarcane price to farmers is pending, the Supreme Court has directed the owners of all sugar mills to appear in person before it on Thursday.

According to a statement, a three-judge SC bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday heard a suo motu case regarding non-payment of sugarcane price to farmers/growers by sugar mills as well as delay in payment.

The bench, after hearing the counsel as well as the growers, observed that in order to effectively resolve the issue of non-payment to sugarcane growers, the court found it expedient that the owners (not CEOs/directors, etc) of all sugar mills must personally appear before it in Islamabad on April 26 at 4.30pm to explain their position.

CJP takes notice of LHC’s decision of not selecting blind lawyer as civil judge

Moreover, as per the court order, the statement would be deemed to be a public notice to the owners of all sugar mills in the country for their personal appearance before the court.

Meanwhile, the CJP has taken notice of the Lahore High Court’s decision of not selecting a blind advocate, Yousaf Saleem, as civil judge.

Mr Saleem — who is a gold medallist from the University of Punjab in LLB (Honors) Programme in 2014 and topped the written examination for civil judges conducted by the LHC in 2017 amongst 6,500 candidates — was rejected in the interview on the grounds that he had a different ability i.e. “blindness”.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the CJP has observed that a person can hold the post of a judge even if he is blind, provided he meets all other qualifications.

According to a statement, it appeared that in the case of Mr Saleem fundamental rights under Articles 9, 14 and 25 of the Constitution, the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), ratified by Pakistan in year 2011, the 3pc quota under the Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilita­tion), etc, were not considered by the LHC.

The CJP has referred the matter to the LHC chief justice and the relevant committee of the high court for reconsideration of the name of the candidate and to give a speaking opinion.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2018