Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani has ordered Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint member finance of PTA Apellate Tribunal or appear in court in person, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
During proceedings on Tuesday, Justice Mohsin Kiyani summoned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in person on May 18 to explain why the member finance of PTA Tribunal has not yet been appointed.
Justice Kiyani remarked the prime minister should appear before the court in his personal capacity and inform the court why the member finance of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Tribunal has not yet been appointed.
The IHC judge also ordered the principal secretary and the secretary cabinet to appear before the court.
Assistant Attorney General informed the court that a retired judge has been appointed as member of the tribunal.
To which, Justice Kiyani remarked that the retired judges have spoiled the working most. “They are eager to go to the tribunals. They could not sleep as ‘salutes’ keep disturbing them at night,” he said and added “If one likes to go to NRC he goes there and the remaining eye other tribunals.”
In written order issued later in the day, Justice Kiyani ordered to appoint member finance of PTA Appellate Tribunal by May 18, otherwise the prime minister should appear in court in person.
The judge observed that the federal government had been seeking more time for the appointment during the last four court hearings. Now, the court gave another chance to the government to appoint the member finance.
The writer order said if the appointment is not made then the prime minister and the secretaries will elaborate on hurdles in appointment of the tribunal members.
Reporter Ehtesham Kiyani