LAHORE – Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Monday sought a reply from the federal government on a petition challenging appointment of Pir Masood Chishti as federal law secretary. Deputy Attorney General Naveed Inayat Malik had presented a reply on behalf of the Federal Law Ministry that appointment of Chishti has been purely made on merit and keeping in view all requirements of the office. The petitioner said that the reply was vague and did not address all issues raised in his petition on which the court again issued notice to the respondent seeking a comprehensive reply within two weeks. Petitioner Arif Raja submitted that appointment of the law secretary has not been made on merit but on political grounds, as no advertisement was issued for the post nor rules and regulation were observed.
Separately, Iranian Lahore Consul General Ali Nikan called on the LHC CJ. Matters of mutual interest and issues relating to judicial systems of both countries were discussed in the meeting. Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry appreciated Pakistan-Iran relations and hoped that they would further strengthen. The LHC CJ said that both countries enjoy similarity in social life and Islamic laws are held supreme in Pakistan. Nikan congratulated the LHC CJ on his appointment and sought information about judicial system in Pakistan.
– CJ drops disciplinary
proceedings against civil judge: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry on Monday dropped disciplinary proceedings against a civil judge and imposed minor penalties on two other judges. According to a notification issued by the LHC registrar, the LHC CJ dropped disciplinary proceeding against Mujahid Abbas Suhail, civil judge, 1st class Dunya Pur now posted at Rahim Yar Khan with immediate effect. The LHC CJ imposed minor penalty of censure on Abdul Jabbar, civil judge 1st class-cum judicial magistrate, now officer on special duty, LHC in the public interest. The same penalty was imposed upon Manzar Hayat, civil judge -cum judicial magistrate Sargodha, now posted at Samundari.
