Rule of law: Missing persons case returns to the Lahore High Court

Six Pakistani men detained by US at Bagram prison for years, handed over to authorities, have not been heard of since.

LAHORE:

Last week the Lahore High Court dealt with several cases involving major controversies.

Among these was an application filed by Justice Project Pakistan, saying that six Pakistani men detained by the United States at the Bagram prison in Afghanistan for years had been handed over to Pakistani authorities and not been heard of since.

A JPP representative told the court that Pakistani authorities were holding the men.

She said the men had no access to lawyers or their family members.

A law officer representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed the release but said the ministry had no knowledge of their whereabouts.

The court directed the Ministry of Interior to provide information on these people by November 25 (today).

Thumb impressions

An election tribunal ordered the verification of ballot papers for NA-118, Lahore through inspection of thumb impressions.

The court was hearing an application from Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) candidate Hamid Zaman challenging PML-N candidate Malik Riaz’s victory in the constituency.

Zaman’s counsel said the elections had been rigged by Riaz with support from government officials.

Justice (r) Kazim Ali Malik ordered the verification. He said the cost would be borne by the petitioner.

Indian films

The Lahore High Court directed the Pakistan Film Censor Board chairman to ensure licenses were not issued to any Indian films using false documents.

The court also issued notice to the federal government for November 25.

The court passed this order on a petition moved by a private TV channel, challenging presenter complaining that Indian films were allowed in Pakistan.

Farooq Yousaf Ghurki

The Lahore High Court restrained the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) from taking action against former provincial minister Farooq Yousaf Ghurki who is facing charges of having a fake graduation degree.

The petitioner told the court that the ECP did not have the authority to declare his degree as fake.

He said the LHC had recalled an order in this regard.

He said the Election Commission could not take action against him unless a competent authority declared his degree a fake.

After hearing initial arguments, the court issued a stay order and a sought reply from the ECP.

President’s pension

The LHC sought assistance of the attorney general on a petition moved by former president Rafiq Tarar who is seeking pension and other benefits.

Tarar told the court that General (r) Pervez Musharraf had removed him from presidency following a coup in 1999.

He said since the Supreme Court had declared all Musharraf’s acts unconstitutional, he was entitled to a pension and other benefits due to a former president.

He asked the court to direct the government to start paying him pension.

Justice Ijazul Ahsan admitted the petition for regular hearing and directed the attorney general to assist the court on the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2013.