KARACHI, Dec 1: The Environment Protection Tribunal of Sindh has practically become non-operational owing to the confusion prevailing over the status of its chairman, former judge Khilji Arif Hussain.

The cases of various leather tanning units, which are allegedly violating the environmental protection laws by not treating their effluent before releasing it into the drains, came up for hearing on Saturday but were adjourned owing to the ambiguous status of the tribunal’s chief.

Deposed Justice Khilji is one of the Sindh High Court judges who did not take an oath on the Provisional Constitution Order and has not been sitting in the court since the PCO was promulgated.

He also held the additional charge of the chairmanship of the tribunal. Now, as he is no longer a high court judge, it is not clear if Justice Khilji still holds the additional charge or if he has been relieved of that as well.

The tanneries’ cases were earlier fixed for Nov 17, but owing to the current situation these were adjourned to Dec 1, hoping that by that time the situation would become clearer. But as the mystery shrouding Justice Khilji’s status has continued, the cases have once again been adjourned.

The next hearing, if the situation clears up, will be held on Jan 5, 2008.

Though the two other members of the tribunal – Sofia Latif (member legal) and Dr Samiuzzaman Siddiqui (member technical) – were present, the tribunal could not function in the absence of its chairman, Justice Khilji.