HYDERABAD, Oct 21: A division bench of the Sindh High Court, Hyderabad, on Thursday directed Sindh Additional Advocate General Masood A. Noorani to ascertain facts about an inquiry into the water contamination case through the chief secretary and submit his report on Nov 11.

The court gave the order while hearing two identical petitions, filed by Faheemuddin, a leader of the Sunni Tehrik, and Mohammad Ishaque Qureshi, an advocate.

The bench, comprising Justice Syed Zawar Hussain Jafri and Justice Azizullah M. Memon, noted that despite the Sept 16 order, the inquiry had not been completed, which had to be done within one month.

The AAG informed the court that he had no information regarding the matter and he had not been communicated any letter by the chief secretary whether the inquiry had been concluded.

He sought time to get facts verified.

Advocate Qureshi requested for a judicial inquiry to fix responsibility on officials and supply of fresh water to people of Hyderabad.

Mr Faheemuddin also sought holding of a judicial probe and compensation to affected people by respondents, former irrigation secretary Bashir Dahar, Kotri Barrage chief engineer Agha Hassan Ali Pathan, Dadu executive engineer Habibullah Kaboro, former Wasa managing director Kafeel Ahmad and health secretary Ashiq Hussain Memon.

Meanwhile, Justice Zia Pervez adjourned hearing in suo motu proceedings regarding grant of bail to former HAD director-general Ali Ahmad Lund, then Wasa managing director Kafeel Ahmad, then health EDO Agha Tariq and then Sukkur Barrage chief engineer Ghulam Nabi Mughal.

The proceedings had been initiated by Justice Azizullah Memon after the officials had been granted bail in a criminal case, registered at the Market police station on June 4 under directives of the then Sindh chief secretary.

NOTICE ISSUED: The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit bench, on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to the Sindh local bodies secretary for non-compliance of a court order regarding payment of dues to a retired sanitary worker of the defunct Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

A division bench of the court, comprising Justice Syed Zawar Hussain Jafri and Justice Azizullah M. Memon, had directed that in case benefits of pension were not released to the petitioner, the secretary should appear before the court on Oct 28.

The taluka nazim undertook to submit a cheque of Rs50,000 before the court to be paid to petitioner Kriandas.

Mr Kriandas had prayed the court to direct respondents to pay him his dues.

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