Terror suspect released for lack of evidence

The court did not extend Nek Muhammad’s detention as requested by the govt.

LAHORE:

The Prosecution Department suffered a set back in the case against the alleged mastermind of the Sri Lankan cricket team attack when the Lahore High Court ordered his release last week.

The government had issued another Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) notification for Nek Muhammad’s detention for one month.

However, the government could not justify his detention before a review board of the Lahore High Court on October 1.

Nek Muhammad was arrested in June 2009 for his alleged role in the brazen terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. He was granted bail by an anti-terrorism court. The government detained him under Section 3 of the MPO law for three months. On completion of his 90-day detention, the government approached the review board which allowed a 30-day extension.

The review board did not grant another extension when it met with the prosecution on October 1 and ordered his release. Several terror suspects have been released by the courts because of lack of evidence against them.

Local government elections

The government informed the Lahore High Court last that local government elections could be held by December 14.

A law officer representing the government submitted in writing that the government would hold elections on or before December 14.

The court then disposed of the petitions seeking an order for local government elections.

The petitions challenging the Punjab Local Government Act 2013 are still under adjudication.

Fesco chief’s apology accepted

A contempt of court petition was filed and dismissed against Faisalabad Electricity Supply Company (FESCO) chief Rana Abdul Jabbar.

He was summoned on September 30 by a bench of the LHC on a contempt notice for disconnecting electricity supply to a company n violation of court orders.

He appeared before the court on October 2 and tendered an unconditional apology. The court admonished the FESCO chief, accepted his apology and dropped the contempt notice, warning him to remain careful in the future.

CNG cylinders

The Lahore High Court disposed of a petition against use of substandard CNG cylinders in public transport vehicles.

The court dismissed the petition when it was told that the cylinders were being installed in the vehicles in view of the guidelines of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

Law officers told that court that the OGRA would be responsible in case of cylinder explosion in a vehicle.

Former PML-N MPA  released

A division bench of the LHC suspended the sentence of former Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Haji Nasir Mahmood in a fake degree case and released him on bail. A Gujrat district and sessions judge had awarded an 18-months imprisonment sentence to the former lawmaker trying him on a reference filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Lawyer’s licence suspended 

The LHC on Thursday ordered the cancellation of the licence of a lawyer for making derogatory remarks about a judge of the district judiciary.

Justice Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi also issued contempt of court notice to Advocate Muhammad Asghar Sheikh and directed him to submit reply.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2013.