LAHORE, Nov 25: The Lahore High Court was told on Friday that the chief minister had withdrawn a notification regarding reinstatement of teachers, upon which the court disposed of the petitions seeking reinstatement. Earlier, the deputy secretary appearing before the court tendered an unconditional apology regarding non-submission of comments on the last hearing.

The court, disposing of the pleas, directed the petitioners to approach the Services Tribunal. On an objection by the petitioners’ lawyer, the representative of the education department gave a written statement that the notification had been withdrawn.

The LHC on Thursday had summoned the deputy secretary education for Friday for not filing comments in various identical pleas seeking implementation of the chief minister’s order. It had called for comments on the petitions filed through advocate Pervaiz Anayat Malik, submitting that Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi during his visit to Sialkot had announced reinstatement of 1,000 teachers who were removed from the job in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

They submitted that the education department had reinstated some 450 teachers, but later some of the petitioners were not given duty and some were restrained from duty.

Earlier, the deputy secretary appearing before the court had stated that a committee had been constituted for the purpose, and the department would implement the CM’s order.

Counsel informed the court that the respondent department had adopted a pick and choose formula.—APP