LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday directed the federal and provincial governments to submit record of officials living in government residences beyond their entitlement.

Earlier, Punjab chief secretary told a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court that 62 provincial officers obtained stay orders from civil courts prolonging their stay in the government residences.

At this, Chief Justice Nisar expressed his dismay and observed that the civil courts made it a routine affair to grant stay orders without examining facts of the cases. He lamented that the officers had been living in government residences without entitlement for years and the eligible ones had been in queue for their right.

He pointed out that some of the officers also rented out their government residences.

The chief justice adjourned further hearing till June 19 and sought complete record of the officers occupying government residences beyond their entitlement.

DUAL NATIONALITY: The chief justice ordered the federal and provincial governments to furnish record of officers and ambassadors having dual nationality.

Earlier, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director General Bashir Memon stated that the government departments had not been extending their cooperation in collecting data of the dual national officers.

The chief justice directed the chief secretaries of all the provinces and chief commissioner of Islamabad to submit record of the officers having dual nationality.

The CJP observed that the court would recommend the government for legislation on the issue once complete details of dual national officers become known.

ISLAMABAD AIRPORT: The chief justice constituted a committee to probe into the leakage of rainwater in the newly-constructed building of the Islamabad International Airport.

The committee comprising officials of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been directed to submit its report within two weeks.

Earlier, CEO of PIA and CAA DG appeared before a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court and submitted a 300-page report on the construction of the airport’s building.

However, the chief justice rejected the report and directed the committee to come up with a precise and clear report.

ATTACK: The chief justice directed the police to provide security to journalist Asad Kharal and his family.

The chief justice also directed the police to get medical examination of Mr Kharal from the CMH after the journalist expressed distrust with regard to government-owned hospitals in Punjab.

The chief justice had taken suo motu notice against attack on Mr Kharal a few days ago when he was leaving Lahore airport.

SUGAR MILLS: The Supreme Court directed all sugar mills to make 100 per cent payments to the farmers against the purchase of sugarcane.

Lawyers of the mills told a three-judge bench that around 90 to 95 per cent payments had been made to the farmers and requested for more time for the remaining payment. However, the chief justice refused to grant more time and directed them to ensure payment to remaining farmers by Thursday (today) and submit a compliance report.

The chief justice reminded the counsel for Haseeb Waqas Sugar Mills that strict action would be taken against the management if any farmer was found standing outside the mills for his payment.

He also hailed Mian Javed Shafi, a relative of the Sharifs, for paying 100pc payment to farmers.

Mr Shafi requested the chief justice to see him in his chamber to explain his position, however, the chief justice declined the request and asked him to deliver a speech with elder Sharif (Nawaz Sharif) at any public meeting.

MEDIA WORKERS: Chief Justice Saqib Nisar warned the owners of all media houses of strict action if salaries for the months of May and June were not paid to their workers by 2pm on Thursday (today).

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2018