SC irked by ‘blame game’ between Workers Welfare Fund, finance division

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed annoyance over the persisting ‘blame game’ between the finance ministry and the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF) – a federally-managed fund to ensure workers’ welfare like provision of low-cost residential accommodation and other amenities.

Resuming hearing of a case pertaining to the funding of the WWF, the apex court observed that nobody seemed to know who possessed the Rs124 billion funds.

“The finance division is saying the funds are with WWF; WWF is saying the money is with the finance division. This is a joke being played with the court,” Justice Azmat Saeed remarked.

“Is it written somewhere that truth will not be [uttered] before the court? Are there any instructions to prevent the court proceedings?” the judge questioned.

He further remarked that the hearing of the case would not be adjourned.

During a previous hearing on the matter earlier in September, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar had observed that the government was not contributing to the fund, as per the complaints of WWF officials. The top judge had stated that the WWF should be utilised as per the law.

The apex court had also directed all four provinces to submit a detailed response in the case.