Statements against Awan: LHC dismisses petition against Sanaullah

Court says Babar Awan should move the court himself if he has any reservation against Rana Sanaullah.


Express June 20, 2011

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday dismissed a petition requesting a criminal case against Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah for his remarks against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Babar Awan.

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ijaz Chaudhry said Babar Awan should move the court himself if he has any reservation against Rana Sanaullah. Justice Chaudhry also said the petitioner is not the affected party in the case.

The petitioner Advocate Ansar Mehmood had filed a plea against the Punjab Law Minister seeking a criminal case against him under the Criminal Procedure Code.

After the budget was announced on June 10, Sanaullah criticised Awan and Punjab Governor Khosa, calling them “black sheep in black coats”. Sanaullah claimed that Awan was a corrupt lawyer who accepts fees from “corrupt elements who looted the Bank of Punjab”.

He further added that Awan and Khosa are considered “obnoxious characters” within the lawyers community and they should be eliminated. Sanaullah had used the word Wajibul Qatl (liable to be killed) to describe Awan.

Sanaullah's behaviour had caused an uproar in the Punjab Assembly and the Senate. The Senate had passed a resolution against him saying the provincial government must remove him from his post over his statements against Senator Babar Awan.

COMMENTS (10)

Hasan | 12 years ago | Reply Surely the petitioner, advocate Ansar Mehmood, who had filed a plea against the Punjab Law Minister, knew he was not the affected party? I suggest the Bar Association request the aforementioned advocate to immediately furnish documentary proof of his legal qualifications.
Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply This creates and interesting legal situation. After this decision of LHC, anybody can call for his opponent's murder by branding him Wajibul Qatal. This is not a crime and he can get away with that. How about the other four provinces? LHC has no jurisdiction in the other provinces and they can decide that it is a crime. What would happen then? The HC would contradict each other. Let the SC decide for the country if it is OK to brand your opponents Wajibul Qatal? With legal culture like this, no wonder the Punjab gov and minister for minorities were murdered and their killers were received hero's welcome.
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