Gilgit (Court Reporter): In a significant development, the Chief Court of Gilgit-Baltistan suspended the Finance Department’s notification that mandated Deputy Commissioners to open accounts in the National Bank for immediate fund transfers allocated for land acquisition for official purposes.
The case, heard by the honorable Justice Johar Ali Khan, has led to notices being issued to relevant stakeholders.
The Finance Department G-B had directed the Deputy Commissioners across all districts to transfer compensation funds to the National Bank rather than private banks. In response, private banks in Gilgit-Baltistan have filed a writ petition with the Chief Court.
The private banks have adopted the position that in 2022, the Gilgit-Baltistan Cabinet, following a Federal Finance Division notification, had decided to keep the released amount for deputy commissioners’ remuneration in private scheduled banks.
The argue the Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan’s orders are illegal, as the recent notification was issued at his personal level, disregarding the Cabinet’s decision. Seeking intervention, the private banks have petitioned the Honorable Court to annul the Finance Department’s recent action.
During the court hearing, Vocational Duty Judge Justice Johar Ali took action by suspending the contentious notification and directed the issuance of notices to the involved parties following preliminary arguments.
