The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought reply from the Punjab chief secretary by July 05 in a petition challenging removal of Noorul Ameen Mengal as director general of Punjab Food Authority (PFA) and asked Mengal to continue with the post till further order if he had not relinquished the charge yet.
The counsel of petitioner, Saad Rasool argued that the government had no power to remove or transfer the PFA director general. He said under the law only the board members of the authority can remove/change its director general. He pointed out that the PFA board had not taken decision to remove its director general.
He contended that the caretaker government removed Mengal beyond its mandate under the political consideration. He said since the petition was a public interest litigation initiated by citizens, therefore, they were not required to approach service tribunal first. The counsel asked the court to set aside the impugned decision and reinstate Mengal on his post as director general of the food authority.