Public transport fares: SHC directs to issue Notification

Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday directed provincial transport department to issue notification regarding fares of public transport. A division bench of SHC hearing the petition against increase in the fares of public transport didn't accept the statement of DIG Traffic Karachi for not having the signatures of the competent authority. Court also showed annoyance over Assistant Advocate General and asked him why the provincial departments are not guided viz-a-viz the legal issues.

"They don't know what is the reply and how is it furnished in the court," bench remarked. Court inquired from the counsel of Sindh Transport Department about the increases in the fares of public transport since 2015 and asked why the notifications were not issued. Counsel sought the time from the court assuring it of issuing the notification. Petitioner Muhammad Umar Panhwar submitted in the court that public transport fares have been increased massively since 2015 and all these increases have been made without the official notification from the relevant authorities.

Court directed Sindh Transport Department to issue the notification about the raise in the public transport fares. Meanwhile, a division bench of SHC directed Sindh Education Department to submit all its record with the court by November 15, 2019 while hearing the petition related to non-awarding of time-scale to lecturers in the colleges of province.

Petitioners moved the court on the plea that time-scale has been given to teachers in the schools, however, college teaching staff is deprived of it. Court inquired about the period since the time scale has been denied to lecturers in the colleges and directed Sindh Education Department to furnish the relevant record by November 15, 2019.