OUR STAFF REPORTER LAHORE The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued notice to Pepco and the Federal government to seek their reply to the petition filed to question the appointment of Lesco Chief, Sharafat Ali Sial. The court refused to grant interim stay against the appointment of Lesco chief and required the respondents to file reply to the petition filed by Lesco Chairman Board of Director Wasya Alam by November 2 and also enter appearance. The petition has also been admitted to regular hearing. The petitioner through his counsel contended that the respondent government did not have authority to appoint the Lesco chief but it the board of directors of Lesco only which was competent under the law to name and appoint him. He therefore prayed to the court to declare the appointment of Sharafat Ali Sial as Lesco chief illegal and without lawful authority. The law officer, however, contended that Lesco is a government institution and hence federal government could made appointment of its chief. The court after hearing both the sides at length admitted the petitioner to regular hearing and called for reply from the respondents by next date of hearing. Meanwhile, Sharafat Ali Sial on Tuesday took the charge as Lesco CEO. According to Lesco press release, Sharafat Ali Sial joined WAPDA in 1977 as junior engineer (electrical). In the existing lot, he is the only engineer who has performed duties in all the four province of Pakistan. He has also worked as chief engineer NTDC. appearance: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday called for the appearance of Finance Secretary, Pakistan Railways on Wednesday to seek his explanation as to why not 60 legal advisers of the department have been paid their fees over the last two years. During the proceedings on Tuesday, Pakistan Railways Assistant Law Officer appeared and submitted that the amount for the payment to the advisers had been sanctioned but not paid so far. The Bench of Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed annoyed with the statement as the same was expressed on the previous date of hearing. No one appears to have shown responsibility either before this court or in the department and deliberate attempts are being made to mislead the court, the judge remarked. The petition has been filed by advocate Arshad Virk and other legal advisors at divisional level to recover their salaries due over the last two years on the pretext that Railways was facing some financial crunch.