LAHORE, Nov 5: A division bench of the Lahore High Court granted permission to the petitioner on Monday to inspect record of the Lahore Development Authority regarding allotment of plots to the retired and incumbent judges of the superior courts.
Justice Amir Alam Khan adjourned the hearing for Dec 10.
The petitioner, Saiful Haq Ziaee advocate, informed the court that he had learnt that the files pertaining to the plots obtained by the chief justice of Pakistan and Justice Ijaz Nisar (retired) were missing from the record.
According to the petition, about 45 judges of the Supreme Court, the Lahore High Court and the Federal Shariat Court obtained expensive LDA plots by providing false information and affidavits saying they did not own plots or residence in urban Lahore.
The petitioner said if the LDA authorities refused to allow inspection of the record, he would approach the Federal Investigation Agency.
He said most of the respondents had sold the plots allotted by the then chief minister Nawaz Sharif in 1991.
A report submitted by the LDA said 45 judges of the superior judiciary were allotted plots between 1973 and 1992.
The petitioner has prayed for action against the beneficiaries and withdrawal of the plots.
TAX RECOVERY STAYED: A division bench stayed the recovery of additional sales tax from Brothers Sugar Mills owned by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s family.
The court also called for a reply from the sales tax collector for next week on a petition against imposition of additional sales tax and fine by the Central Board of Revenue. The judge observed that if the authorities make a wrong tax assessment, they do not have the lawful authority to impose a penalty.
The petition had submitted that the authorities had sent the mills a Rs131,000 bill. It was later corrected and Rs3.6 million demanded. The mills were also directed to deposit 5 per cent as additional sales tax and penalty.
It said the mills had approached the sales tax tribunal and that the matter had been decided in their favour. The collector, however, was insisting that notice amount be deposited.
ITTEFAQ ASSETS: A division bench adjourned the hearing of an appeal against division of Ittefaq Group’s assets by a single bench.
The court adjourned the hearing for Nov 15.
Earlier counsel for Khalid Siraj family submitted that the single bench had divided the assets without hearing the appellants.
He said the profitable units were awarded to Sharif family and the remaining to other share-holders.
NOTICE TO SECRETARY: An LHC bench issued a show-cause notice to the Irrigation and Power Department secretary for Nov 19 to explain why he had not complied with the court order.
The petitioner, Khizar Hayat, had submitted that he was appointed as assistant executive engineer on Feb 1, 1996, on ad hoc basis. Instead of regularizing his employment after a year of satisfactory service, he said, the department fired him.
He said he had approached the Punjab Services Tribunal against his termination and the tribunal had ordered his posting under the Bahawalnagar project director. The department had appealed against the decision but the Supreme Court had upheld it.
Six months after the Supreme Court order, he said, the authorities concerned were still reluctant to reinstate him.
Earlier, a reply submitted on behalf of the department secretary said the petitioner had not joined service despite repeated summons.
NOTICE TO JUDGE: Justice Syed Jamshed Ali of the LHC issued a show-cause notice to the Kasur district and sessions judge for next week for not submitting a reply despite a court order.
The court directed the additional advocate general Akhtar Husain Awan to ensure compliance of its order.
The petitioner, Shamshad Akhtar, said his father who had served as steno-grapher to the Kasur judge had died in harness. According to the departmental policy he was entitled to the job. He said he had applied but did not get it.
The court had sought a reply from the sessions judge but he failed to submit one.
EXECUTION OF DECREE: The LHC adjourned for Nov 20 the hearing of a petition by the United Bank Limited for execution of a decree against a textile mills owned by former federal minister Haji Nawaz Khokhar.
The court was informed that Mr Khokhar had not paid a Rs500 million loan obtained from the bank.
NOTICE TO NAB: A special appellate bench issued notice to the National Accountability Bureau for Nov 21 on an appeal filed by the wife of a former Sargodha mayor against confiscation of her property.
The petitioner, Khurshid Begum, said her husband Abdul Hameed had been found guilty of abuse of power and having assets beyond his known means and sentenced to imprisonment, fine and disqualification for public office.
She said the NAB authorities had then confiscated her property situated in Model Town, Lahore, as well as her nephew’s property. She said the action was illegal and without lawful authority and prayed that the confiscated property should be returned. — APP