MULTAN: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Multan bench issued notices to the provincial chief secretary and others over a contempt petition of a Multan Waste Management Company (MWMC) official for allegedly violating court orders regarding suspension of his termination orders.

MWMC Procurement and Contracts Manager Muhammad Aleemstated he had been terminated on Feb 25 after issuing a show-cause notice on the complaint of Chief Finance Officer Sajid Riaz that he had challenged in the LHC.

Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti on March 13 suspended his termination orders; however when he went to the office to resume his duties he was not allowed to enter, which amounted to contempt of court.

He requested the court to summon the respondents, including Chief Secretary Jawad Rafique Malik, Local Government and Community Development Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal, Services and General Administration Secretary Saleha Saeed, MWMC Managing Director Fakharul Islam Dogar and Deputy Manager (Acting Manager HR) Aqeel Ahmad, proceed against them for contempt of court and punish them as per law.

According to the termination letter issued on Feb 25 by the company’s human resource and admin manager, the chief executive officer received a written complaint by Mr Riaz on Feb 23 over which a show-cause notice was issued to Mr Aleem on Feb 24, but he did not respond to it.

It stated that Mr Aleem was found guilty of unprofessional conduct, including harassment, as described under social offences during working hours, which caused hurt and bodily pain to the complainant in violation of his constitutional fundamental rights. Moreover, he brought the company into disrepute through news reports in the print and electronic media.

Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir directed the respondents to submit their reply on April 12.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2021