Provincial depts: SC berates KP govt for not filing appeals in time

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Monday berated the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government for not filing appeals against the provincial departments in time.

A two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard the KP government's appeal against an employee of the province, Muhammad Hassan.

The chief justice inquired from the KP additional advocate general (AAG) what was the justification of filing a 45-day late appeal against the accused.

He noted that the majority of late filing of appeals were of the KP province, adding it was done intentionally.

The chief justice said they would review the performance of the law committee, formed by the KP chief minister.

The AAG said that the CM was himself heading the committee, adding the delay was in old cases.

He said after the constitution of the law committee, the cases were filed in time.

The bench dismissed the KP government's appeal against Muhammad Hassan for being time-barred.

Meanwhile, the same bench, hearing case related to salaries and perks of an employee of Buner school, issued notices to the KP Education Department.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed that from 2012 to 2017, the appellant, Mian Abdul Saeed, was in jail in a murder case.

He said that during this period the appellant did not perform his duty.

The appellant's counsel informed that in 2017, the PHC Mingora Bench had acquitted his client.

Justice Ijaz said after the release the appellant was reinstated to the position.

The chief justice remarked when the appellant had not worked from 2012 to 2017 then how could he claim salary and perks of that period.

Saeed's lawyer said that after the registration of an FIR in 2012 his client was suspended. Justice Ijaz questioned if the department had not suspended him then how could he performed duties from jail.

The chief justice said that they would like to hear the point of view of the KP Education Department and issued notices to it.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020