KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday warned the provincial authorities of initiating contempt of court proceedings against the provincial government if it did not remove the Sindh chief minister’s adviser on law barrister Murtaza Wahab.

Headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, a two-judge bench took serious notice when it was informed that the notification regarding Mr Wahab’s removal was not issued yet and he had been drawing perks and salaries for the past two months.

Advocate Fareed Ahmed Dayo, a senior practising lawyer, had filed an application seeking contempt of court proceedings against the provincial authorities for not removing the CM’s adviser on law in violation of the court’s judgement.

He pointed out that Murtaza Wahab was drawing salaries and perks for the last two months even after his appointment had been declared illegal.

In his application, Dayo submitted that the law adviser was still continuing his service and attending cabinet meetings.

He requested the judges to initiate contempt proceedings against the authorities concerned.

At the outset of the hearing, Advocate General Zamir Ghumro stated that the process of de-notification of the law adviser could not be completed as the chief minister was in Hyderabad. The de-notification would be issued later in the day on his return to the city.

The court directed the chief secretary as well as the advocate general to place before the court if any emoluments were paid to Mr Wahab after the court’s Nov 22 verdict.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2017