Punjab govt has been granted enough time to shut down 56 companies: CJP.

ISLAMABAD -- Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday has conducted hearing on the case pertaining to irregularities in 56 Punjab companies.

Three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the case filed by NAB on irregularities in these 56 companies.

During the proceedings, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked why these companies have not been closed yet over which, the Advocate General Punjab Sardar Ahmed Jamal Sukhera told that 37 out of 56 companies are benefiting the people.

Responding to the argument, the top judge said that you are trying to follow East India strategy and directed to resolve the issue now. The government should perform its duties with responsible attitude, the CJP asserted.

Advocate General Punjab said that the Punjab government has decided to shut down 'unnecessary' companies opened during previous tenures.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked why they weren't shutting down all 56 companies. He said the Punjab government is starting to operate like the East India Company. Will the government implement its own laws through these companies, he asked.

Chief justice said there was once a company named the East India Company. And what did it end up doing, he asked...