SHC exempts Culture & Tourism Secretary's appearance on contempt plea

KARACHI (PPI): Sindh High Court Tuesday exempted Secretary Sindh Culture & Tourism Department from personal appearance on contempt plea of terminated employees. Former Sindh caretaker government made appointments in Culture & Tourism Department against posts in grade BS-1 to BS-15, but new administration terminated them. On petition of 23 terminated workers, SHC ordered Secretary Culture Department on March 25, 2009 to appoint them after conducting interviews to judge their suitability, but he allegedly failed to comply. They filed application, seeking contempt proceedings against Secretary. Today, Secretary Shams Jaffery in person submitted in compliance of court orders department conducted interviews of terminated workers, of them 28 found suitable, had joined service. He prayed to dismiss petition as compliance was made. SHC division bench, comprising Justice Mushir Alam & Justice Muhammad Athar Saeed exempted Secretary Culture & Tourism from personal appearance unless required. It adjourned hearing to date in office, as petitioner's counsel was abroad to perform Umrah.