LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has directed Pakistan Railways to upgrade posts of guards in the light of an order of 2012 and extend its benefits to all such individuals of the department.

Justice Muhammad Farrukh Irfan Khan passed the order on several identical petitions filed by guards seeking directions for upgrading their posts as other cadres in railways, which were appointed on same terms and conditions.

The petitioners through their counsel submitted that they were originally appointed as Grade-I guards in BPS-9 on the basis of their educational qualifications. Employees of an equal cadre on the same train -- commonly known as special ticket examiners (STEs) -- were also appointed over the basic qualification of matriculation, but were awarded BPS-11 and BPS-14 and promoted as group inspectors and divisional inspectors, respectively.

The petitioners stated that STEs could not be considered equal to guards. However, the railways upgraded the post of STEs and ignored guards, they added.

Justice Khan observed that the court in its 2012 order had upgraded the post of guards and not certain individuals only. However, the benefit had been given to some employees and denied to equally placed guards, which in fact was in sheer violation of the dictum laid down by the Supreme Court.

The judge allowed all petitions and directed railways authorities to extend the same benefits to all guards, which it had already granted to some guards such as STEs, within three months.

LDA DG summoned: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed dismay over inordinate delay in allotment of plots to vice chancellor of the King Edward Medical University (KEMU) and another man and summoned the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general.

A two-judge bench headed by acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing two identical petitions filed by KEMU VC Dr Faisal Masood and a citizen, Ziaul Haq, against the LDA.

Representing Dr Masood, Advocate Chaudhry Yaqoob argued before the court that his client purchased a plot measuring one-kanal during 1990 in an area that was later included in Johar Town, Lahore. He said the LDA cancelled the plot of Dr Masood and promised to allot him an alternate piece of land.

However, the counsel said, the LDA had not allotted the promised plot despite a lapse of 26 years.

Counsel of Mr Haq also told the court that the LDA had not been allotting plot to his client for several years.

The bench observed the LDA had become most corrupt department of the country and seemed to have adopted a policy of humiliating citizens.

The bench adjourned further hearing till Aug 2 and directed LDA DG Nabeel Javed to appear in person.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2016