KARACHI: The Sindh High Court was assured on Friday by the provincial government that no adviser to the chief minister was exercising any executive authority or powers, or enjoying perks and privileges of minister.

Headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, a two-judge bench came down hard on the provincial government’s law officer when the counsel for a petitioner informed the judges that the CM’s adviser on labour and human resources Senator Saeed Ghani was continuing as minister and using his office.

The chief justice warned Additional Advocate General Barrister Ghulam Mustafa Mahesar that a show-cause notice might be issued within half an hour to the chief minister for flouting the court’s order that had ruled that advisers could not exercise any executive authority or ministerial powers.

The AAG, however, averted the issuance of show-cause notice to the CM submitting that after the SHC’s verdict in the petition of Advocate Fareed Ahmed Dayo, no adviser was exercising authority of the state, nor was given any portfolio or perks and privileges of minister.

He went on to assure the court that a statement to that effect bearing signature of the chief secretary would be filed within three days.

The bench put off the matter to Dec 16 for its final disposal.

Abdul Sattar Niazi, represented by Advocate Muhammad Ali Lakhani, had petitioned the SHC against the PPP senator for exercising executive authority and chairing SESSI’s meetings.

The high court had earlier given a detailed verdict on the petition challenging the appointment of the CM’s adviser on law Barrister Murtaza Wahab and the grant of ministerial portfolio to him.

The court had held that the advisers could not exercise the powers of ministers, nor could they hold any portfolio.

Earlier, a single bench had restrained Senator Ghani from convening the 145th meeting of SESSI, which was scheduled to be held on Dec 15.

The restraining order had come on the lawsuit filed by Qazi Abdul Wahab and seven other employees of SESSI.

Plaintiffs’ lawyer Nouman Jamali contended that the adviser to the CM on labour and human resources was not competent to chair meetings of SESSI in terms of Section 5 of the Sindh Employees Social Security Act 2016.

Published in Dawn December 10th, 2016