LAHORE: Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday expressed concern over massive transfers and postings made by the outgoing Punjab government and declared them conditional to the court’s scrutiny.

A three-judge bench headed by the chief justice was hearing a suo motu case against transfers and postings made by the provincial government during the last month.

The bench asked the Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Saeed to explain as to why all these transfers and postings were ordered just two days before the end of the constitutional term of the provincial government.

The chief secretary said the officers of government’s choice had been working in different departments, therefore, they were transferred.

CJP Nisar observed, “Officials working in chief minister house are being accommodated on lucrative posts. Everyone is favouring each other.”

The chief justice suspended the operation of transfers and postings orders and directed the chief secretary to submit a detailed report, with record of such postings, within one week.

Taking up the private schools’ fee matter, the CJP issued notice to the respondents and sought replies. The court also turned down the petitions challenging the stay orders of the Lahore High Court.

Hearing multiple appeals filed by private schools challenging orders of different high courts, the chief justice observed that the matter was very serious and he was considering taking suo motu notice on it.

Private schools from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Islamabad had requested the apex court to suspend the orders passed by the respective high courts regarding their fee structure.

However, the chief justice turned down their request for stay and issued notices to the respondents only.

CJP Nisar observed that rich people had been exploiting parents by establishing private schools. “Education is not an industry but a fundamental right of every citizen,” said the chief justice, adding the cartel of private schools connived for deteriorating standard of public sector schools.

The chief justice also questioned the levy of withholding tax head in schools’ fee.

Next hearing would be fixed by registrar office.

Meanwhile, Smog Commission on Thursday submitted its report to the Supreme Court and recommended action against industrial units causing pollution in various parts of the country.

The commission headed by Dr Pervez Hassan in the 36-page report also suggested that emergency sirens should be ordered in the cities if the air quality index there exceeded the mark of 300.

It said masks should be distributed among the citizens to protect them from pollution, while more trees be planted besides preserving the old one.

The report said environmental monitoring units should be made functional and agreements signed with neighboring countries to avoid smog and air pollution.

The court made the report part of the proceedings and adjourned the matter.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2018