LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday stayed process for the appointment of the chief executive officer of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and sought replies from the federal and provincial governments.

Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan passed the interim order on a petition filed by Lesco Engineering Association through its president.

As the judge took up the petition, Barrister Maqsooma Zahra Bokhari argued on behalf of the petitioner that the post of the Lesco CEO had been advertised by its Board of Directors by increasing maximum age limit for the candidate from 58 to 62 years.

She stated that the maximum limit for the slot had been increased in violation of the court’s previous verdict.

The counsel alleged that the maximum age limit had been increased to accommodate some ‘blue-eyed’ candidates [from the open market] and to deprive in-house employees who were professional, experienced, skilled and had the legitimate right to be promoted.

The lawyer asked the court to set aside the impugned process initiated for the appointment of Lesco CEO for being in violation of the Supreme Court and LHC judgments. She further sought directions for formation of a Board of Directors in accordance with the criteria and guidelines issued by the high court.

Lawyers of the federal government and the Lesco sought time to submit their replies. The judge granted the time till May 18 and stayed the appointment process.

Published in Dawn, April 25th, 2017