' AJMAL MIAN, J.--The petitioners through this petition have prayed for the following reliefs:- "(i) to declare the reference by respondent No,1 to the respondents Nos.2 and 3 as illegal and without any lawful authority;
(ii) to direct the respondent No,1 to implement the directive issued by respondents Nos.2 and 3 and treat the petitioners as its regular employees with effect from 1-1-1974 for all intents and purposes;
(iii) to direct the respondent No,1 to pay to the petitioners/ repatriated employees the salary in accordance with its regular scales w.e.f. 1-1-74 as per its fixation;
(iv) to direct/grant any other/further/better relief or reliefs deemed fit by this Hon'ble Court; and
(v) to grant costs of this petition".
2. The brief facts leading to the filing of the above petition are that the 8 petitioners were working in East Pakistan inter alia with Chittagong Port Trust and Chalna Port Authorities at the time of fall of Dacca. After the fall of Dacca they were repatriated -to the then 'West Pakistan. It appears that the Federal Government issued direction inter alia to respondent No,1 to absorb the persons named in the list in the port service. The direction was also issued to the effect that they should be paid salaries with effect from 1-1-1974. There are number of letters on the record which indicate that direction was. Repeated. However, it seems that respondent No,1 on 7-4-1981 made a reference to the Federal Government on the above question and pointed out that heavy finances are involved in complying with the' above direction. It appears that till today the Federal Government has not conveyed any decision on the above reference made by respondent No,1.
3. Without going into the legality as to whether the above direction of the Federal Government falls within the ambit of Section 70 of the Port Qasim Act, 1973 (Act XXV of 1973) in our view it will be just and proper to direct the respondent No,2 to give a decision on the reference made by respondent No,1 within a period of 4 months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. This judgment is without prejudice' to the respective contentions of the parties. There will be no order as to costs.