Elusive certificate: LHC accepts federal govt’s request

LAHORE:

Justice Ayesha A Malik of Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday gave the federal government till March 2 to file a reply in connection with a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Abrarul Haq.

Justice Malik had sought a reply from the government on a previous hearing regarding the provision of an NoC for the construction of a medical college. On Tuesday, the counsel for the federal government requested the court to grant him two weeks more to file a reply in connection with the vocalist’s petition.

Opposing the request, Haq’s counsel said any further delay would lead to students losing out on a year as they would not be in a position to appear for examinations. He said this would also incur an expense to the tune of Rs1.25 billion. Justice Malik accepted the federal government’s request following the conclusion of arguments.

Haq had alleged in his petition that the Health Department had not been forthcoming on account of issuing the certificate as he was affiliated with a party in the opposition. He had requested the court to direct the department to issue an NoC.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2016.