The Lahore High Court issued a notice to director general of Press Information Department (PID) and others, on Friday, on a petition seeking action against those responsible for misusing department resources and funds.
Justice Muhammad Khalid Mahmood Khan issued the order on a petition filed by Tipu Salman Makhdoom through his lawyer Muhammad Ashraf Hussain.
The judge ordered that a copy of the petition be handed over to the deputy attorney general who would arrange a report and parawise comments from the director general and others. The court also issued notices to PID Assistant Administration Officer Mohammad Salim and former employee Bader Munir. The court will hear the case on March 26.
The petitioner, in his public interest petition, submitted that an Audit and Inspection Report on the accounts of the PID (Lahore) for 2010 to 2012 has revealed misuse of close to Rs9.534 million.
The report, he submitted, had recommended that the embezzled amount be recovered.
The report said these irregularities occurred when officials were hired or promoted irregularly, in the misuse of vehicles and telephones and the payment of advances over regulations, the petitioner added.
The petitioner prayed the court to issue direction for implementation of the audit report.
He also requested the court to ensure recovery of the monies.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 9th, 2013.