The Lahore High Court on Friday sought reply from Punjab government on a writ petition challenging the privatisation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) into a company named Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC). Justice Umar Ata Bandial directed a law officer to ensure submission of the reply within two weeks. Sweeper Union of SWM filed the petition and also challenged the appointment of administrators, following an amendment to the local government ordinance.
Rabbiya Bajwa argued on behalf of the petitioner-union that the privatisation of SWM under the garb of a new company would be in violation of labour laws and the local government ordinance. She said assets of the government had been transferred to LWMC and the private company had been given complete right to draft any policy and agreements on its own. The counsel further said the amendment in section 179-A of the local government ordinance to appoint administrators was a colourful amendment, and in violation of the original scheme of the ordinance. She demanded the court set aside the inception of LWMC and the appointment of the administrators.
