LHC seeks copy of Pakistan-US accord on drone strikes
LHC says government was making no effort to stop drone attacks which have killed hundreds of innocent civilians.
LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court on Monday directed Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed to submit copies of agreements, if any, between Pakistan and the US, over drone strikes inside Pakistan.
LHC Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial was hearing a petition filed by Saeed seeking orders for the federal government to ensure the end of drone strikes in Pakistan. He claimed the government was making no effort to stop drone attacks which have killed hundreds of innocent civilians.
Saeed’s counsel, Advocate A K Dogar, stated that the petition pertained to an important issue which needed to be decided upon immediately. He said the federal government should be directed to make information on all matters of public importance available to the people, especially the secret ‘deal’ with the US over drone strikes by implementing Article 19A of the Constitution, which entitles every Pakistani to have access to all information. Dogar asked the court to declare all pre-emptive strikes by foreign countries illegal under international law.
He added that the parliamentary resolution against US drone strikes passed by a joint session on May 14, 2011 needed to be implemented. Dogar said this was the voice of the people who could invoke the provisions of Article 14 of the Constitution to seek a declaration that to act against the voice of the people amounted to a violation of their fundamental rights. Chief Justice Bandial later adjourned the hearing till November 1.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2012.
The Lahore High Court on Monday directed Jamaatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed to submit copies of agreements, if any, between Pakistan and the US, over drone strikes inside Pakistan.
LHC Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial was hearing a petition filed by Saeed seeking orders for the federal government to ensure the end of drone strikes in Pakistan. He claimed the government was making no effort to stop drone attacks which have killed hundreds of innocent civilians.
Saeed’s counsel, Advocate A K Dogar, stated that the petition pertained to an important issue which needed to be decided upon immediately. He said the federal government should be directed to make information on all matters of public importance available to the people, especially the secret ‘deal’ with the US over drone strikes by implementing Article 19A of the Constitution, which entitles every Pakistani to have access to all information. Dogar asked the court to declare all pre-emptive strikes by foreign countries illegal under international law.
He added that the parliamentary resolution against US drone strikes passed by a joint session on May 14, 2011 needed to be implemented. Dogar said this was the voice of the people who could invoke the provisions of Article 14 of the Constitution to seek a declaration that to act against the voice of the people amounted to a violation of their fundamental rights. Chief Justice Bandial later adjourned the hearing till November 1.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2012.