Lahore (March 03, 2018): Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Saturday bared the bureaucracy from boycotting offices in protest over arrest of former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general Ahad Cheema.
While hearing a suo motu notice on various public welfare issues at the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry today (Saturday), Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar remarked that no bureaucrat shall boycott offices in protest.
“Whoever wants to resign should go home,” he added.
Moreover, the chief justice questioned how a resolution was passed against NAB by the Punjab Assembly, observing that tomorrow a resolution could also be passed against the Supreme Court’s orders.
The apex court has also summoned the complete record regarding the arrest and perks and privileges awarded to Ahad Cheema.
Moreover, the chief justice questioned how a resolution was passed against Cheema’s arrest by the Punjab Assembly, observing that tomorrow a resolution could also be passed against the Supreme Court’s summoning of anyone. The Punjab Assembly, on Feb 28, had passed a resolution against NAB’s action against Cheema, terming it a violation of basic human rights.
During the hearing, the chief justice asked the Punjab chief secretary and Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general about Cheema’s whereabouts and current posting, to which it was stated that Cheema presently heads the Quaid-e-Azam Power Plant.
On February 23, during an emergency meeting of the civil services officers at the Government Officers’ Residences (GOR) in Lahore, a resolution against Ahad Cheema’s arrest by the NAB was adopted.
Over 200 civil services officers, in attendance, have demanded a suo moto notice of Cheema’s arrest on February 21.
They were of the opinion that NAB should arrest those involved in corrupt practices but should withhold the dignity of any person.
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Cheema was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on February 21 in the Ashiana Housing Scheme probe, after which the Punjab bureaucracy went up in arms in solidarity.
Cheema’s arrest took place after NAB had detected illegalities and corruption worth billions in a deal between Paragon Housing Society and Punjab Land Development Company to construct the Ashiana Housing Scheme, a low-cost housing project of the Punjab government.
Cheema was heading the LDA at the time.
Bureaucrats in Punjab have boycotted offices in protest against Ahad Cheema’s arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on February 21 in the Ashiana Housing Scheme probe.
NAB alleges that Cheema abused his powers as LDA chairman and awarded the contract of Ashiana Housing Scheme to Lahore Casa Developers (LCD) and Bismillah Engineering, which were not eligible for the project.
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