KARACHI, February 23 2005: The Sindh High Court has on Tuesday admitted writ petitions filed by the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and other member publications against the Newspapers Employees Act, 1973 and 7th Wage Board Award, and directed ITNE Chairman M. Javed Gandapur to appear before the court on March 15, 2005, said a press release of the APNS issued here on Tuesday.
Three constitutional petitions, relating to the Newspaper Employees Act and 7th Wage Board Award, came up for motion hearing before Bench No I of the Sindh High Court, Karachi, consisting of Chief Justice Mr Justice Syed Saeed Ashad and Mr Justice Maqbool Baqir.
One petition has been filed by the Herald Publications Ltd, challenging validity and legality of proceedings for implementation of the 7th Wage Board Award pending before Javed Nawaz Gandapur, chairman, Implementation Tribunal. There are serious allegations at personal bias against the Tribunal. In this petition, petitioners have also moved an application for contempt of court against Javed Nawaz Gandapur.
On previous date of the hearing, the honourable Bench issued contempt notice, but on Tuesday on behalf of the contemnor an application was filed for adjournment on the ground of his illness.
The honourable Bench has directed Jawed Nawaz Gandapur to file his comments within three weeks, and also to be personally present on the next date. The injunctive order passed earlier staying of proceedings before Javed Gandapur has been continued.
Of the other two constitutional petitions, one relates to the Newspaper Employees Act, 1973 and the other to the 7th Wage Board Award, both challenged on grounds of being ultra vires of the Constitution and devoid of any legal validity.
It has been prayed that the Act be struck down as violative of the fundamental rights, and the Award being a nullity and itself violative of fundamental rights.
The petitions have been admitted to regular hearing, and now the petitions, as and when fixed, shall proceed on merits so that the waging controversy is settled through process of judicial review.
Petitioners were represented by Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, Mohammed Afzal Siddiqi, and Munir Malik, advocates Supreme Court, and Respondents by Rashid Rizvi, advocate. The Government of Pakistan was represented by the Deputy Attorney General.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:2/23/2005
