Farzana Parveen’s father produced in court

LAHORE:

The chief justice of Pakistan, the prime minister, the Lahore High Court chief justice, and the Punjab chief minister all took notice of the murder of Farzana Parveen near Lahore High Court on May 27. Police had arrested her father, Muhammad Azeem, on the same day. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of the incident on May 29. Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jilani and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took notice on May 30.

LHC issued a statement on May 30 stating that Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial had taken prompt notice of the incident and directed the Lahore sessions judge to submit a report. The report said that an FIR had been registered and one of the suspects had been arrested. Police have held the suspect without seeking remand from a court of law.

According to a statement issued by the LHC, the district and sessions judge has directed police to submit the charge sheet within the stipulated period, namely 14 days of the registration of the FIR. On May 31, Khalida Parveen, a sister of the deceased, filed a habeas corpus petition asking that her father be released from illegal detention. Police then produced him in a court for remand.

Ministry defends Fortress plaza

A counsel for the Ministry of Defence told the LHC that the construction of Fortress Square Plaza on land meant for military purposes was justified and that the armed forces can undertake such projects.

The counsel cited a notification issued in this regard on April 2, 2008, by the federal government with the sanction of the President of Pakistan. He said the plaza had been constructed for the welfare of soldiers and that 25 per cent of the revenue generated would go to the federal government and the rest towards troops’ welfare.

According to the notification, construction of large stores and shopping areas at Fortress Stadium, Sher Khan Stadium in Peshawar, PAF shopping centre in Lahore, Navy’s Fleet Club in Karachi, petrol pumps, CNG stations, restaurants, marriage halls, printing presses, ice factories and cattle markets has been allowed on A-1 land (allocated for military purposes). A citizen has challenged construction of the plaza through a public interest petition.

LHC wing renovation completed

The renovation of a wing of LHC buildings was completed. The LHC chief justice inaugurated the building last week. The restored Eastern Wing includes two court rooms. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2014.