THE LAHORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY vs ABDUL SHAFIQUE and others
The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) filed petitions for leave to appeal against the Lahore High Court's dismissal of its constitutional petitions. The core legal dispute concerns whether the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968, applies to the LDA. The petitioner contends that the LDA is neither an industrial nor a commercial establishment, and therefore, the Ordinance is inapplicable. Furthermore, the petitioner argues that even if it were considered such an establishment, it operates under the authority of the Provincial Government and is governed by its own statutory service rules framed under the Lahore Development Authority Act, 1975. The Supreme Court observed that the matter involves the interpretation of several statutes, particularly regarding the definition of 'industrial or commercial establishment' and the applicability of statutory service rules versus the Standing Orders Ordinance. Consequently, the Court granted leave to appeal to examine whether the LDA falls within the ambit of the Ordinance and the legal status of its service regulations.
- Does the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968 apply to the Lahore Development Authority?
- Is the Lahore Development Authority considered an industrial or commercial establishment under the West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968?
- Are statutory service rules framed under the Lahore Development Authority Act, 1975 applicable to its workmen despite not being gazetted?
- Section 4(a), West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968
- Section 45, Lahore Development Authority Act, 1975
ORDER
' ABDUL SHAKURUL SALAM, J.---This order will deal with C.Ps. Nos. 994 to 1005/L of 1992.
1. Petitioner Lahore Development Authority seeks leave to appeal against orders of a learned Judge of the Lahore High Court in Writ Petition No, 2924/86 dated 26-5-1992 and in connected matters.
2. Relevant facts are that the petitioner terminated the services of its employees, the respondents whereupon they successfully challenged the orders before the Labour Courts. The petitioner's Constitution petitions failed in the Lahore High Court.
3. Contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner is that West Pakistan Industrial and Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance, 1968 applies vide section 4(a) to "industrial or commercial establishment". Lahore Development Authority is not an industrial, nor a commercial establishment. In this view of the matter, the learned counsel submits that there is no need to go on to consider or apply the proviso which reads as follows:-- "Provided that nothing in this Ordinance shall apply to industrial and commercial establishments carried on by or under the authority of the Federal or any Provincial Government, where statutory rules of service, conduct or discipline are applicable to the workmen employed therein."
Contention is that the petitioner being neither industrial nor commercial establishment, its being carried on under the authority of the Provincial Government would not arise, though if it were such an establishment, it was under the Provincial Government. In that event statutory rules of service framed under section 45 of the Lahore Development Authority Act, though called regulation were promulgated in 1978 and approved by the competent Authority. Their publication in the Gazette subsequently would not affect their applicability as those were not required to he gazetted by the Statute. Interpretation of several statutes is involved. Therefore, leave to appeal is granted.