LAHORE: The Lahore High Court Wednesday exempted Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif from personal appearance on May 14 in a land compensation case.
However, the court asked chief secretary Punjab to appear in person on May 14 and satisfy the court regarding non-payment of compensation for acquiring land to a trust.
Justice Ibadur Rehman Lodhi passed the orders while recalling an earlier order for personal appearance of Punjab Chief Minister in a land compensation case on a civil miscellaneous application filed on behalf of the Punjab government for the purpose.
During the hearing, Advocate General Punjab pleaded the court to withdraw its orders of personal appearance of Punjab Chief Minister for May 14 as he was chief executive of the province and had immunity under Article 248 of the constitution. He further stated that the chief minister had not been impleaded as a party in the matter by the petitioner.
But, the petitioner's counsel said that the matter was pending for last six years despite clear directions of the court for payment.
However, the court after hearing arguments of both parties exempted Punjab Chief Minister from personal appearance and summoned Punjab Chief Secretary Punjab for May 14.
The court had summoned Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and former senior member of Board of Revenue Ishfaq Tarar for May 14 on petition by Institute of Islamic Culture against non-payment of compensation of land acquired for a trust.
Comments
Comments are closed.