KARACHI:Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday expressed annoyance at Sindh Government and other respondents for not submitting their comments on a petition challenging a law that has given powers to chief minister to appoint provincial ombudsman.
A two-member bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, heard a petition filed by Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor against Establishment of the Office of Ombudsman for the Province of Sindh (Amendment) Act, 2020. The court annoyed at respondents who did not submit their comments despite court orders.
We are giving last warning, if written reply is not submitted then we will pass our judgment, the bench warned Sindh government and other respondents.
The court sought reply from Sindh government, Governor Sindh and other respondents till 26th March.
The petitioner said in the petition that the Sindh chief minister had taken over the powers of the province’s governor for the appointment of the ombudsman for Sindh and gave him only powers to take oath from ombudsman.
He said that it was illegal move to transfer powers of appointing provincial ombudsman to chief minister.
The petitioner stated that government had amended in law for providing benefits to favorite people. He prayed the court to declare it as unconstitutional move.