20000119

LHC admits Aptma case petition

recorder report

Lahore: Mr. Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum of the Lahore High Court admitted a petition for regular hearing and suspended the orders of the Director Trade Organisation (DTO), directing the vice-chairman, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma), to take control of the affairs of the association and hold its elections.

The DTO, in its directions, had observed that vice-chairman Farid Jadoon would allow only the members of NWFP zone to file nominations only for the election of the chairman of the association.

Petitioner Humayun Elahi through his counsel Ali Subtain Fazli contended that his term as chairman was expired and under Article 54 of the constitution of the association, the powers to manage the affairs of Aptma vested with the management committee, hence, it appointed him as its representative and convener.

A member of the Aptma from NWFP approached the DTO, which passed the impugned orders ex-part without hearing the petitioner.

The counsel said that the orders in question were illegal and without lawful authority.

He contended that the DTO can interpret the articles of the constitution of the association only after Aptma itself is failed to do so.

The court, after hearing the petitioner's counsel at length, stayed the operation of the impugned orders and issued notices to the respondents till January 26.