SHC seeks NAB, anti-corruption inquiries against forest department officials

19 Dec, 2018

A two-member bench of the SHC headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar heard the plea filed by a citizen against deforestation.

During the hearing, both, the counsel for petitioner Qazi Ali Athar and official of department, Abdul Jabbar levelled allegations to each other.  The bench expressed annoyance at both parties.

The counsel of the petitioner, Qazi Ali Athar, told the court that officials of the forest department were giving him life threats and asking him for withdrawal of the case. He said that he approached to Chief Secretary Sindh for protection against life threats but no any inquiry was conducted.

The bench remarked that you (counsel) is an advocate, you should have lodge FIR, if you were threatened.

The bench also lashed out at conservative officer of the forest department who allegedly gave life threats to advocate and asked him that how could you threaten an advocate.

The official told the court that advocate was too threatening him, so he also threatened him.

The bench directed both to lodge FIR in case of life threats.

The bench remarked that if should be told, who issued budget and allowed for restructuring.

The petitioner had moved the SHC and told it that corrupt officials were benefited by carrying out reorganisation in department.

The department was illegally divided into three parts.

The counsel told the court that according to the law, there should be one conservative officer but now two more officials have been appointed for this slot.

He said corrupt officials have ruined the forest department.

The court, later, adjourned the hearing till 16th January.

Copyright PPI (Pakistan Press International), 2018
 

 

 

 

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