Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Mohammad Asif has issued an interim order suspending regulatory action against sleeper coach operators on motorways.
The order was passed while hearing a petition filed by sleeper coach operators challenging regulatory measures and challans issued against their vehicles. Advocate Mohammad Fahim Akhtar Gill represented the petitioners before the court.
In its written order, the court suspended a June 18 notice, a July 14 letter and a September 4 office memorandum until the next hearing. It also directed authorities not to initiate disciplinary action against sleeper coach operators during this period.
The IHC issued notices to the respondents and sought their replies, directing them to submit para-wise comments before the next hearing.
The petitioners had challenged measures taken by authorities against sleeper coaches, arguing that the notification concerning the withdrawal of safety measures for such buses, as well as challans issued to their vehicles, were unlawful.
They asked the court to declare the impugned measures and actions against sleeper coaches illegal and without lawful authority.
The petitioners maintained that authorities could not take punitive action against sleeper coach operators on the basis of the challenged notices and directives.
After hearing the initial arguments, the court granted interim relief and restrained the authorities from initiating disciplinary proceedings against the operators until further orders.
The court also sought detailed responses from the relevant authorities to determine the legality of the regulatory measures and actions taken against sleeper coaches.
Further proceedings in the case were adjourned until the last week of October.
