The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued notices for January 18 to the Punjab Governor who also serves as the Red Crescent Society Provincial Branch (RCSPB) President and other respondents to a petition challenging the appointment of the RCSPB Chairman.
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah passed the order on a petition filed by Liaqat Ali Chishti and others members of the RCSPB managing committee challenging the chairman’s appointment. The petitioners’ counsel Waqar A Sheikh said the Punjab Governor replaced the former RCSPB chairman Mian Muhammad Hanif with Zahid Bashir on January 7, on political grounds. He submitted that the governor could appoint the chairman only with the consent of the managing committee. However, the governor did not take any advice from the committee before appointing Bashir. He contended that the removal of Hanif was against the Pakistan Red Crescent Act and should be declared illegal. After hearing the arguments the court issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the hearing till January 18.
– issues show cause
notice to Excise Director: The Lahore High Court issued a show cause notice on Wednesday to Faisalabad Excise Director Munawar Ahmad Kharal on a contempt petition. Justice Muhammad Khalid Mehmood Khan passed the order on a petition filed by Faisalabad Division Excise Inspector Muhammad Hussain.The petitioner submitted through his counsel that he was transferred from Faisalabad to Sargodha after he identified financial embezzlement in the department. He said he approached the LHC which suspended the transfer order. However, the officials concerned had not complied with the court’s orders. The petitioner’s counsel asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents, including Kharal. The court after hearing the arguments issued a show cause notice and summoned the director to explain his position on February 8.