LAHORE - Being guardian of human rights, the court may send the matter of construction of Kalabagh Dam (KBD) to Council of Common Interest (CCI), if the federal government was not serious over the project of national interest, the Lahore High Court chief justice remarked on Tuesday.The chief warned that if the federal government didn’t submit detailed report on court’s queries about the KBD, the court would summon secretary of ministry of water and power.Previously, the court had ordered the government to furnish the details of three provinces’ objections on the construction of KBD but no report was filed on Thursday. The CJ expressed anger over the non-submission of report.During the course of hearing former legal adviser of World Bank, Bashir a Malik, told the court that many forces were in action against the construction of the KBD. He said the construction of the dam was vital, otherwise, India and Afghanistan would start using water of Pakistan soon.He said if the KBD was not constructed, India would capture Pakistan’s water by constructing dam on the Indus River while Afghanistan would do the same on the River Kabul.Malik had filed the petition stating the construction of KBD was a project that would benefit all provinces equally. He requested the court to direct chief minister of Punjab to make a written complaint in accordance with Article 155 to CCI. The petitioner also requested that the failure on part of Punjab chief minister to exercise his discretion or power might be declared as illegal and unlawful. The court was also hearing many petitions regarding the construction of the project. The court will resume hearing on October 11.Aitchison College principal summoned: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday summoned Aitchison College Principal Dr Muhammad Hafeez for explanation and also sought reply from him in a contempt petition.Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan issued these orders on the petition moved by Muhammad Abbas Chaudhry through Arshad Nazir Mirza Advocate. The petitioner submitted that according to court’s verdict issued in 2011 the Aitchison College was an attached institute of the Punjab government. And a notification issued by the government for 20 per cent increases in salaries also applied on the employees of the college, the petitioner said quoting the verdict. By holding this, he pointed out; the court had ordered the administration of the college to pay the increase in salaries to its employees in light of the said notification. But, the administration was defying the court orders and not paying the increase.The petitioner requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the principal for not complying with court orders and also direct him to pay the same.The court heard initial arguments and summoned the principal for Sep 24 besides seeking reply from him.






