KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Dr Zulfikar Mirza, a disgruntled leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party, on an application of MNA Faryal Talpur, a PPP leader and sister of former president Asif Ali Zardari, seeking contempt proceedings against him for making “malicious and libellous statements” against her and other family members in defiance of the court’s restraining order on the issue.

Dr Mirza was on May 8 restrained by the SHC from making malicious statements on an application of Ms Talpur, who had become an intervener in his constitutional petition against withdrawal of police guards earlier posted for his security.

In his petition, Dr Mirza had feared for his life saying Mr Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain were his “biggest enemies” as he had given statements against them.

Also read: Mirza spends eight hours in courtroom to avoid arrest

Dr Mirza, who recently went on an allegation spree against Mr Zardari, requested the court to inquire from the authorities as to why and how Ms Talpur, Anver Majeed and model Ayaan Ali were being provided security.

He submitted that the provincial government had withdrawn his and family members’ security despite the fact that there were threats to their lives.

Ms Talpur in her contempt application prayed to court to “punish the petitioner by detaining him in the prison as well as imposing fine upon him for committing contempt of court by disobeying its orders”.

The bench that also comprised of Justice Abdul Maalik Gaddi directed Dr Mirza to file his reply on the contempt application against him by May 29.

Notice to PSM

A division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar directed the ministry of industries and production, Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) chairman, former industries secretary, federal law officer and others on a petition against reinstatement of PSM general manager Hamid Pervez.

The petition was filed by a PSM employee, Raja Iviz Mahmood, who prayed to court to declare the reinstatement of Mr Pervez illegal and without lawful authority.

The petitioner submitted in court that a PSM inquiry committee had in 2008 found Mr Pervez guilty of mishandling his ACR and was removed from service under the Removal from Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000.

He said that the sacked officer later appealed to the then industries secretary for his reinstatement, but his appeal was set aside.

The petitioner said that Mr Pervez using his contacts and influence got himself reinstated in 2009 after the then industries secretary was replaced.

The petitioner prayed to court to set aside his reinstatement and also his recent promotion as it directly affected several senior PSM employees.

Issuing notices to the respondents, the bench put off the hearing to a date in office.

Published in Dawn, May 21th, 2015

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