Karachi, The Sindh High Court expressed strong displeasure over the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) failure to submit a response regarding the City Warden’s case for two years. The court has now given KMC’s counsel a two-week ultimatum to file the reply, adjourning the hearing until March 18. The case revolves around the issues of co-seniority and the deprivation of six months’ salary for a City Warden, who has been employed on a contract basis since 2009 but faced seniority issues due to new recruitment policies.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, the constitutional petition was filed by Khurram Lakhani, Advocate, under the instructions of Altaf Shakoor, Chairman of the party. The petition addresses the grievances of the City Warden, including the loss of seniority and six months of unpaid salary following a new recruitment letter. During the hearing, presided over by Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar and Justice Adnan Al Kareem Memon, Lakhani highlighted the court’s previous directives to KMC for a response, which have been repeatedly ignored.

The court’s frustration was evident as it questioned the KMC’s reasons for its prolonged silence and lack of action in resolving the issue. The plight of the City Warden, as presented by Lakhani, underscores a significant administrative oversight and the subsequent hardships faced by the individual due to bureaucratic delays and neglect.

The case has drawn attention to the broader issues of employment rights and the treatment of contractual employees within KMC, prompting calls for a more equitable and responsive administrative process. The upcoming hearing on March 18 will be a critical moment for the City Warden’s case, potentially setting a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future.