Issuing tenders without waiting for SC verdict on LG system mala fide: LHC

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday observed that back to back tenders of development works issued by the administrators without waiting for detailed judgement of the Supreme Court about restoration of the LG system showed mala fide on part of the provincial government.

Justice Ayesha A Malik was hearing multiple petitions against tenders issued by the administrators in different districts. Additional Advocate General (AAG) Akhtar Javed opposed the petitions and argued that the provincial government was empowered to hold auctions. He said the auctions being held by the government were in conformity with the apex court’s judgement.

Justice Malik expressed dissatisfaction over the law officer’s stance and observed that the provincial government did not wait for the detailed judgement of the SC in the matter and went on to issue tenders.

“This shows mala fide of the government,” she added. The judge adjourned further hearing till July 16 and also extended the stay against the tenders. The petitioners argued that after the Supreme Court's judgment and restoration of dissolved local governments, the administrators ceased to hold office. They said the administrators could not put the shops/properties on auction or enhance the rent, which only the elected head of LGs and the council could do. They asked the court to set aside the impugned auction for being illegal.

The Lahore High Court on Monday issued a notice to the Punjab government on a set of petitions seeking implementation of a Supreme Court’s judgement about restoration of local governments in the province.

Justice Ayesha A Malik heard the petitions filed by Lahore city’s former lord mayor retired Col Mubashir Javed and others. The judge directed a law officer to submit a reply on behalf of the government by July 16. The petitioners submitted that the provincial government failed to restore the local governments despite the Supreme Court issued its detailed judgement in the matter. They said the failure of the government to implement the decision amounted to contempt of court.

The petitioners asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the provincial government. On March 25, a three-judge bench of the SC, through a short order, had ordered restoration of local bodies in the province after declaring their dissolution as unconstitutional.