Reply sought from Health Secretary

LAHORE–The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday sought reply from the Punjab Health Secretary on a petition challenging the appointment of Prof Asad Aslam Khan to five administrative posts at the King Edward Medical University (KEMU) and attached Mayo Hospital.Justice Umar Ata Bandial directed to file reply till June 20.Petitioner Lawyer Noshab A.Khan submitted that Prof Khan was currently serving as KEMU acting vice chancellor, KEMU pro-vice chancellor, professor of ophthalmology at Mayo Hospital, Punjab Institute of Preventive Ophthalmology and PIPO/College of Allied Vision Sciences director general and national coordinator for prevention of blindness. He contended that all the five posts were extremely important and the fact that a single person held all of them meant that the jobs were not getting the dedicated attention they deserved and the quality of service delivery at these institutions was suffering. He pleaded the act of the respondent was also not in line with the KEMU Act 2005 and rules of KEMU 2008. He pointed out that there were plenty of senior professors eligible for the posts.He requested the court to direct the government to ensure five professors hold the posts and Prof Khan was removed from at least four of them.Meanwhile, Justice Ayesha A Malik of LHC on Tuesday ordered unsealing of three grid stations of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) which were sealed over non-payment of property tax.The petition was filed by the Lesco against the Punjab Excise Department for sealing three grid stations. Lesco’s counsel submitted that the excise department had sealed three grid stations in Baghbanpura, Riwaz Garden and on Sheikhupura Road over non-payment of property tax. 

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