LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday turned down a request to restrain ‘motivational speaker’ Qasim Ali Shah from working as chairperson of the Alhamra Arts Council’s board of governors and sought a reply from the Punjab caretaker government on a petition challenging his appointment.

The petitioner, Muhammad Ali, through a counsel contended that the appointment of the respondent had been made in violation of rules and regulations. He said the respondent had no relevant experience in the field of art and culture.

The petitioner also challenged the powers of the caretaker government to make an appointment on a permanent post. He said the caretaker government could make appointments for the period of only 90 days, whereas, the appointment of the respondent had been made for three years.

He asked the court to set aside the impugned appointment of the respondent along with the 11 other members of the board of governors.

As an immediate relief, the petitioner urged the court to restrain the chairperson and the members of the board of governors from working till a final decision of the petition.

However, Justice Shujaat Ali Khan denied the immediate relief to the petitioner and directed the advocate general of Punjab to submit a reply on behalf of the government by the next hearing.

ZAMAN PARK: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday adjourned hearing of a petition against the constant traffic jam on Canal Road due to the camps established by the workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) outside the Zaman Park residence of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh took up the petition, however, the counsel for the petitioner did not appear before the court.

An associate of Advocate Mudassir Chaudhry, the counsel, sought an adjournment from the court.

The judge allowed the request and adjourned the hearing till March 16.

Petitioner Muhammad Javed submitted that the PTI workers set up political camps on the Canal Road since Imran Khan stationed himself at his Lahore residence some four months ago.

He said the presence of the PTI workers outside the Zaman Park residence of their party head caused a traffic jam on the Canal Road.

He asked the court to protect the fundamental right of citizens of free movement as enshrined in the Constitution and order the district government and the city traffic police to get the Canal Road cleared of all mess for the commuters.

Plea against Maryam: The LHC allowed another opportunity to a lawyer/petitioner to cite judgments to establish the maintainability of his petition seeking contempt proceedings against PML-N chief organiser Maryam Nawaz for her alleged attempts to scandalise the judges of the Supreme Court.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan will now resume the hearing on March 6.

Published in Dawn, March 2nd, 2023