KARACHI: Taking notice of the absence of the provincial local government (LG) secretary despite issuance of directives, the Sindh High Court on Thursday summoned him personally on March 3 to explain the position regarding formation of bye-laws to deal with the matter of stray dogs under the Local Government Act, 2013.

A two-judge bench, comprising Justices Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Amjad Ali Sahito, passed this direction while hearing a petition seeking to control the population of stray dogs and ensuring availability of free anti-rabies vaccine in the province.

At the outset, additional advocate general Jawad Dero submitted that the additional secretary of the provincial LG department had been informed, but he was absent.

The bench observed that in the order dated Dec 2, 2020 clear directions were given that in view of the provision contained in the Local Government Act, 2013 the bye-laws were to be framed but still no bye-laws were framed, therefore, directions were given, but no progress report was filed.

The bench directed the office to issue a notice to the LG secretary to appear in person and explain the position.

The counsel representing the district municipal corporations and the cantonment boards made a clear statement that they were making their best possible efforts in their jurisdiction to avoid the incidents of dog bite and further progress reports would be submitted by them on the next date.

Calls for final report from officials regarding growth of vegetables using sewage

The counsel for DMC Malir submitted a progress report, which was taken on record.

The bench fixed the hearing at 11am on March 3 on which date the LG secretary was directed to also update the court with regard to the shelter home for which a PC-I was approved and what was the current status of the construction.

Sindh Information Commission

During hearing of another case the same bench was informed by additional AG Jawad Dero that the provincial cabinet had approved the Sindh Information Commission (Conduct of Business) Rules, 2020 and provided a copy of the same to the bench.

He further submitted that the matter had been sent for issuing a notification in the gazette that would be placed before the court by him on the next hearing.

Sikandar Ali, commissioner of the Sindh Information Commission, who was present, submitted that they had a permanent secretariat with proper infrastructure and they were receiving applications and also deciding the same.

On the contrary, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that there were various applications filed by petitioners pending before the secretariat without any order.

The bench ordered that the commissioner present in the court shall submit a progress report on the next date.

He was further directed to apprise the court on the next date on the working system of the secretariat and disposal of the applications.

By consent of the parties, the hearing was adjourned till Feb 26.

Vegetables on sewage

The same bench directed deputy commissioners of Malir and Korangi districts to submit a final report regarding action taken by them to eradicate the growing of vegetables on sewage in their respective jurisdictions.

During hearing of a petition, Syed Arshad Waris, additional deputy commissioner-I Korangi, submitted a progress report, but no progress report was submitted on behalf of the deputy commissioner Malir.

The bench clubbed the petition with an identical petition fixed for hearing on Feb 17 and adjourned the hearing.

Published in Dawn, January 29th, 2021