LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday heard a petition against the termination of Punjab Education Foundation’s officials and observed that autonomous institutions affiliated with the Punjab government could not ignore government’s policies.

Usman Ali, Tanvir Ahmad and other senior employees of the PEF had challenged their termination.

Their counsel argued that the chief minister had ordered the foundation to regularize services of petitioners, but it ignored the directive and dismissed them.

The counsel pointed out that the PEF chairman and managing director terminated the petitioners in violation of the government directive to appoint their blue-eyed persons.

He asked the court to set aside the termination of petitioners and reinstate them as regular employees.

Justice Faisal Zaman directed the PEF chairman to explain under what condition an autonomous institution could deviate from the governments’ directives.

The judge adjourned the hearing till April 24.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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