NATO supplies: LHC's Rawalpindi bench admits plea for regular hearing

Justice Khwaja Ahmed seeks replies from foreign affairs, defence and interior secretaries within two weeks. PHOTO: AFP

RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Bench of the Lahore High Court on Tuesday admitted a petition against the resumption of Nato supplies for regular hearing.

Pakistan blocked Nato supply routes for troops in Afghanistan after US forces attacked a check post in Salala, killing 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 24, 2011.

Justice Khwaja Ahmed headed the hearing of the plea filed by Advocate Sardar Zaheer Ahmed and sought replies from the foreign affairs, defence and interior secretaries within two weeks.

The petitioner, Advocate Ahmed, argued three main points before the court:

• Nato supply routes shouldn’t be reopened until the decision is taken by the parliament, senate and national assembly.
• According to the law, the Defence Cabinet Committee, does not have a right to take a decision to resume Nato supplies.
• If the government decides in favour of Nato supplies then it should, in return, ask the United States to assure that attacks similar to that of Salala check post and drone strikes should not occur in the future.

The hearing will begin after replies are submitted by all respondents.