KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah after meeting Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday met with the people protesting outside the Supreme Court (SC) for redressal of their grievances.
Most of the grievances of the people were against the institutions of the federal government while many complained of slow trial of their cases in the lower courts.
LAND CASES:
Around a dozen men and women along with their children told the chief minister that Sardar Sher Mohammad Rind had illegally occupied their lands in Nawabshah through his goons. They told him that they were trying to meet the CJP for the retrieval of their lands and requested him to intervene into the matter to get their lands vacated besides ensuring their protection. The chief minister then directed chief secretary to get a detailed report from Hyderabad’s commissioner for necessary action.
SERVICE MATTERS:
The employees of Sindh Government Children Hospital (SGCH) told the CM that their hospital was being run on public-private partnership but they have not been paid salaries from last three months. Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah told the CM Murad that this issue of delayed salaries had arose due to audit issues. The CM directed the chief secretary to personally intervene to get the salaries of concerned employees of the hospital released.
Furthermore, constables who have been ousted from service after taking their examination once again, six male and female teachers of karachi Medical College (KMC) and other persons from the education department were also among the protestors.
DISAPPEARANCE CASES:
Mr and Mrs Mohammad Saleem, Rehana Latif and Salma Alamdar Ali told CM Murad that their sons Mushtaq alias Adil, Rawal Latif and Syed Ali Rizvi were picked up by law enforcement agencies and did not return despite efforts. The parents said that they had been running from pillar to post besides, filing petitions in the high court but nothing has been done so far.
Abdul Hameed of Qayyumabad also appealed to the chief minister to get his 14-year old daughter, Asma, recovered.
The chief minister assured all of them that he would take the necessary measures for the recovery of their children.
SCHOOL FEE:
A large number of parents who were present among the protestors told the CM that private schools were charging exorbitant fees. They informed that the administration staff of private schools were threatening to expel or fail their children in examinations in case they failed to pay their huge fees. The chief minister directed the chief secretary to redress their issues by ensuring implementation of the supreme court’s (SC) order on school fees.
PENSION OF DEAD WIFE:
A 67-year old man Abdul Qadir told the chief minister that he was drawing the pension of his wife late Shahina Parveen who used to teach in a local government school. “Now, I want to marry but the local government is stopping my pension,” he said.
“I can’t stop you from getting married – that is your choice, but as far as your pension is concerned I’ll see the rules whether they are allowing to continue the pension or not,” the CM replied.
