PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC), while hearing a contempt of court petition against the non-payment of dues on Wednesday, directed the provincial government to pay salaries and outstanding arrears to computer operators of the Transport Department.
The court warned that contempt proceedings would be initiated against the relevant officials if the arrears were not paid. Notices were also issued to the Transport Department and the provincial government, directing them to submit their responses.
The petition was heard by PHC Chief Justice SM Attique Shah.Counsel for the petitioners and deputy secretary, and the deputy director of the Transport Department appeared before the court.
The petitioners’ counsel pleaded that his clients had been recruited in 2003 under a project of the Transport Department and were later regularised pursuant to an order of the PHC.He argued that the Supreme Court subsequently suspended the PHC’s regularisation order. However, despite continuing to perform their duties for the department over the past 10 years, the employees had not been paid their salaries.
Questioning the authorities, the CJ asked why the computer operators had not been paid their salaries and arrears. He directed that they be paid according to the BPS-16 pay scale.The deputy secretary of Transport informed the court that the department intended to pay the employees the government-notified minimum wage. In response, the CJ remarked, “What can be managed with Rs40,000? The high court pays a gardener Rs60,000. Inflation has risen significantly. Can a household be run on Rs40,000?”
The court subsequently directed the authorities to ensure payment of salaries and arrears to the petitioners and warned that legal action would follow in the event of non-compliance with court orders.The hearing was adjourned after the court sought a report from the Transport Department and the provincial government regarding implementation of its directions.
