The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday sought the new policy from the provincial government vis-a-vis easing of the lockdown in the province.
A division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar ordered the Sindh government to furnish the details of standard operating procedures (SOPs) devised to open the markets and other sectors in view of the coronavirus.
The bench issued these orders in a petition pertaining to the ban on pillion-riding in the city due to the coronavirus.
Additional Advocate General of Sindh Jawad Dero told the court that a uniform policy is being worked out for the entire country in the light of the orders of the Supreme Court.
"What sort of uniform policy is being formulated?" Justice Mazhar inquired.
The government's attorney told the court that he didn't have details about this policy. However, this was decided at a high-level meeting.
The petitioner submitted that all the markets in the city had been opened, but pillion riding in the city was still banned.
The court directed the parties involved to submit details about the lockdown and then the court would decide the matter.
Meanwhile, SHC bench sought replies from the federal and provincial governments about the relief provided to lawyers during the lockdown.
The court also summoned Additional Secretaries of Law and Finance Sindh to appear in the court.
The bench was hearing a petition about financial assistance to lawyers during the lockdown in the province in which the petitioner said that lawyers in Punjab have been provided with relief, but they are deprived of the same in Sindh.
The court asked the government to tell what measures have been taken to help the lawyers during the lockdown.
The additional advocate general of Sindh told the court that the governor of Sindh didn't sign the ordinance, which had been passed by the provincial government to provide relief to the masses during the lockdown.
"The Sindh government has no other option except this ordinance to provide relief to citizens," he stated.
The provincial attorney informed the court that the government was not helping anyone by extending cash except the Zakat payments and stated that the funds which had been allocated for development budget were now being diverted to fighting the coronavirus and improving the health facilities in the province.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar said that funds have been released in Punjab to help lawyers during the lockdown and asked the provincial government what relief it can provide to the lawyers in the current situation.
The Additional Advocate General said that financial help can be given only after approval by departments concerned, i.e. law and finance, and it is better to ask them about this issue.
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