KARACHI: A divisional bench of High Court of Sindh (SHC) comprising Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah and Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar on Monday ordered sending samples to HEJ laboratory for an independent report.

The bench was hearing a constitutional petition filed by Jaffar Brothers and A.Q Enterprises who imported with active ingredient “Fipronil”. The federal Plant Protection Department representative present in the court submitted that as per test of their department, the pesticide was found to be sub-standard. A similar report was given by a provincial agency. Deputy Attorney General Pakistan, Aslam Butt assisting the court submitted that respondent federal institutions have a less role to play and main responsibility lies with the province. The court then called Advocate general Sindh but none was present.

The counsel for petitioner at this stage submitted that an independent test id needed to solve the controversy. The bench agreeing to the submission ordered the petitioner to take the sample to the provincial and federal authorities concerned who will examine that whether the seal is intact. The counsel for petitioner prayed that Nazir be appointed to remain present when seals were checked.

The bench asked that how much time is required for the test and report at which the respondent official told that it would be done in a single day. The bench later put of the hearing until Feb 08 ordering that report be submitted before the next date of hearing. The life of consignment is due to expire on Jan 31.