QUETTA: A division bench of Balochistan High Court has suspended implementation of different notifications issued by local governments and asked the additional chief secretary of planning and development to restrain deputy commissioners from disbursing funds allocated under these notifications.

The bench comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel and Justice Mohammad Ejaz Swati was hearing on Friday a petition filed by Advocate Talat Waheed. It observed that the notifications appeared to be in conflict with the court’s Aug 28, 2014, judgement in the constitutional petition No 218.

The petitioner placed on record different notifications calling for allocation of funds for community development, sports, scholarship programme for deserving students, cultural activities, etc. He said that funds should have been disbursed by deputy commissioners on the recommendation of members of provincial assembly.

The court observed that notifications required deliberation under the circumstances, therefore, the implementation on them would remain suspended till the next date of hearing.

The bench asked the additional chief secretary to convey the court orders to all deputy commissioners.

It observed that the contention of Metropolitan Corporation Quetta (MCQ) was genuine and said it was the responsibility of the government to provide funds to the MCQ for civic activities.

The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.

Published in Dawn, June 7th, 2015

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