Daily Times

Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed Thursday said the federal government is doing nothing except making statements as countless graduates are unemployed.

The Supreme Court conducted suo motu hearing on case pertaining to coronavirus and the CJP said in his remarks that people will not get food by the government’s statements.

The federation should bring forth any economic plan to provide jobs to the unemployed if it holds any, Justice Gulzar Ahmed said.

“Health and education sectors have downgraded and the country’s economy has fallen. People need food, health, education, employment and petrol.

“The country is facing crises of sugar, wheat and petrol but no one is looking into the matter.

“The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) facilitated only one private company whose owner became a billionaire in just two days amidst coronavirus.

The Supreme Court summoned a report from the National Disaster Management Authority to explain how it has been spending the funds allocated for the coronavirus pandemic.

The court has asked for details on the purchase of N-95 masks, imported medicines and the machinery brought in for a private company Al-Hafeez.

“The PM said chief minister of a province is dictator. What does that mean? The prime minister and the federal government do not have any writ in that province.

“How can the Sindh government spend four billion rupees on luxury cars when it does not have fund to clean a nullah?”

He said, “Our government gave top priority to the health department. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government allocated record budget for this sector. It is condemnable that the opposition is doing point-scoring on COVID-19. PTI is standing with people in this tough time and will continue to do so.”

Meanwhile, in police promotion case Supreme Court (SC) has directed the serving police officers to continue to perform duty on their present posts till court’s decision.

A two members bench of SC presided over by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) took up the case for hearing Thursday.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked during the hearing of the case” we have to see that fresh appointment of police officers has been made or they have come through promotion. Will the previous service be counted or otherwise in respect of police officers who join provincial police service.

He remarked high court while giving the decision in favour of police officers from Balochistan had ordered to promote 8 police officers. 7-year experience is required for going from grade 18 to grade 19. Police officers said that experience of grade-17 will also be counted in the promotion.

He observed it has to be seen now police officers have come under fresh appointment or through promotion. There is provincial and federal police quota.

Additional Attorney General told the court one respondent of the case has passed away.

CJP remarked this is not a fresh appointment while such cases have come in SC from Sindh. Establishment division has filed appeal plea in apex court against Lahore High Court decision in this matter.

The SC while directing the serving police officers to continue to work on their present posts till the court’s decision adjourned the hearing of the case for three months.