The Sindh High Court’s Sukkur bench has issued a bailable arrest warrant and a show‑cause notice for the Secretary of the Workers’ Welfare Board (WWB), citing his failure to appear in court. The court has directed him to present himself on October 14. Dawn
A two‑member constitutional bench — Justices Zulfiqar Ali Sangi and Riazat Ali Sahar — took up a petition filed by Mushtaq Ahmed and other plaintiffs. They sought enforcement of their right to regularize their employment, claiming they were dismissed because their services were never regularized. Dawn
During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Achar Gabol, told the bench that his client was terminated on the grounds of non‑regularization. When questioned about the WWB secretary’s absence, a representative, Askar Shah, asked for more time to arrange his appearance. Dawn
On the same day, the bench also summoned the Health Secretary, Rehan Baloch, in a contempt of court petition. The issue concerns a previous court order from 2022 to upgrade Naushahro Feroze Civil Hospital — an order which, according to petitioners, has gone unfulfilled. Dawn
Counsel Abdul Rahim Mahar represented the hospital’s petitioners, stating that critical services like the cardiac ward are non‑functional, ventilators are missing, labs and essential staff are lacking, and there’s a shortage of medicines and doctors. Dawn
In response, the Director General of Health, Hyderabad, Waqar Memon, informed the court that a notice had been sent to relevant authorities to act on the order, and that updates will be submitted once the hospital is upgraded. Dawn
The court adjourned the hearing to October 24, giving Baloch until that date to respond to the contempt petition. Dawn
On October 10, 2025, the Sindh High Court’s Sukkur bench took a strong stance against absenteeism in a case involving the regularization of workers at the Workers’ Welfare Board (WWB).
The court issued a bailable arrest warrant and show-cause notice to the WWB Secretary, who failed to appear in court. He has now been ordered to attend the next hearing scheduled for October 14.
👨⚖️ Petition by Dismissed Employees
The legal action stems from a petition filed by Mushtaq Ahmed and other employees, who were previously dismissed from the WWB. Their lawyer, Achar Gabol, argued that they were terminated because their services were never regularized, despite being eligible.
When questioned about the secretary’s absence, a board representative, Askar Shah, requested more time to ensure the official could appear in court.
⚖️ Health Secretary Also in Hot Water
On the same day, the court also addressed a contempt of court petition against Sindh Health Secretary Rehan Baloch for allegedly failing to implement a 2022 court order. That order directed the upgrade of Naushahro Feroze Civil Hospital, which petitioners claim has seen no progress.
🏥 Hospital Still Lacking Basic Facilities
According to the hospital’s petitioners, the facility still suffers from:
Non-functional cardiac ward
Lack of ventilators
Shortage of essential medicines
Insufficient doctors and lab technicians
Their lawyer, Abdul Rahim Mahar, told the bench that despite repeated orders, the hospital remains in poor condition.
🏛️ Court Response & Next Steps
In response, Waqar Memon, Director General of Health (Hyderabad), told the court that notices have been issued to relevant departments and that an update will be submitted after the hospital upgrade is carried out.
The court has now summoned Health Secretary Rehan Baloch to appear on October 24 to respond to the contempt petition.
