SHC summons human settlement authority director general in illegal appointment case

The Sindh High Court has directed the human settlement authority director general (DG) to appear in person along with documentary evidence that salaries of the petitioners who had challenged his appointment had been credited.

The direction came on a petition challenging the appointment of human settlement authority DG over violations of the relevant laws. A counsel for the petitioners submitted that appointment was illegal as the respondent belonged to the technical cadre, which had nothing to do with the administrative office. He alleged that the respondent was misusing his authority and making illegal transfers and posting in the department along with allotting the government land.

The counsel also sought urgent hearing of the petition submitting that the petitioners were being harassed for filing litigation against the DG and the salaries of the petitioners had been stopped for third consecutive month.

The high court granted the request and antedated the matter till April 7 and in the meantime directed the DG to appear in person along with documentary evidence that salaries of the petitioners had been credited into their bank accounts.

The SHC also directed the petitioners’ counsel to file a memorandum in the concerned branch stating that the employees were warned not to file litigation against the respondents. The high court had on a previous hearing also observed that if it was found that the DG had made any illegal transfers and posting, they would be declared illegal and other appropriate action would also be taken against the respondents.