ISLAMABAD, Jan 25: The Supreme Court has served notices on the assistant advocate general, Punjab, and the superintendent of the office of director, Agriculture Rawalpindi Region, to explain under what authority they had made concession before the court to allow a retired government servant to continue using official accommodation.

“Despite receiving intimation, AAG Punjab Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah is not present, therefore, notice be repeated to him to appear before court and explain under what authority he made concessional statement in favour of the respondent, Lal Hussain,” the court ordered.

“Similarly, superintendent of the office of the director, Agriculture, Rawalpindi Region, Mohammad Karim, is directed to explain his position in writing,” the court further stated.

The Punjab through director, Agriculture Rawalpindi Region, had challenged the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench’s order, in which it was stated that the state had no objection to the overstaying of the petitioner, Lal Hussain, in the premises under reference provided he paid the penal rent and also cleared his arrears.

When the apex court took up the case for the first time, Superintendent Mohammad Karim stated that he had not made any statement on behalf of the department.

Lal Hussain is a retired government servant and is not entitled to occupy official accommodation for more than two months after his retirement.

When the matter was agitated before the court, Superintendent Mohammad Karim and Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah, consented for disposal of writ petition in favour of Lal Hussain by making “illegal concession”.— Staff Reporter