Court Diaries: ‘A govt that cannot deliver should quit’

Expressing concern over law and order situation, LHC judge said that the federal govt must act to deliver the services

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court (LHC) last week heard several petitions filed against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Expressing serious concern over the law and order situation, an LHC judge remarked that the federal government must act to deliver the services.

A full bench, headed by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan, heard the case. The petitioners had demanded the arrest of PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri saying he had not sought bail in more than 40 cases registered against him. Another petitioner sought proceedings under Article 6 of the Constitution against Imran Khan and Dr Qadri.

Security plan

The LHC directed the capital city police officer (CCPO) to chalk out a security plan for the PTI’s December 15 bid for a shut down of the city after consulting all stakeholders.

A full LHC bench, headed by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan, passed this order while hearing a petition filed by a traders’ representative. The petitioner had demanded adequate security measures for December 15.

Naeem Mir, the petitioner, had stated that fear stalked the city and the police had failed utterly to maintain law and order. “A man was killed in Faisalabad. The same can happen in Lahore. Trade activities are under threat,” he said. The petitioner requested the court to direct the government to provide foolproof security and ensure peace in view of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s attempt at shutting down the city.

Executions abroad

Last week, the Lahore High Court (LHC) issued notices to the Foreign and Interior ministries on a petition challenging the execution of Pakistani workers in Arab countries. The court adjourned the proceedings on the case till December 26.

The Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), a non-profit law firm, had filed the petition on behalf of the affected families.

Barrister Sarah Belal, the JPP executive director, said that over the past few weeks, Saudi Arabia had beheaded nine Pakistanis.

“They were wrongfully convicted by Saudi courts. Many more Pakistanis are in danger of being executed,” Belal said.

“It is amazing how the Pakistani government has stayed silent over the killing of its citizens on foreign soil,” she said.

Embezzlement

A writ petition has been filed in the LHC to challenge the appointment of managing director and three other officials at the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) not withstanding their alleged involvement in corruption.

Petitioner Shoaib Saleem stated that a team constituted by the chief minister had found the senior officials guilty of misappropriation of funds allocated under various heads.

“The team found the deputy managing director guilty of embezzlement in funds allocated for health insurance. A director was found guilty of selling books meant for free distribution among children. The managing director of the Punjab Education Foundation was accused of ignoring irregularities,” the petitioner told the court.

Blind persons’ case

The LHC sought a reply from the government on a plea seeking inclusion of people with impaired hearing and vision in the 2 per cent quota in government jobs allocated for special persons. Petitioners’ counsel said all government departments were required to announce a quota for special persons every time vacancies were announced.

Missing youth

The LHC sought reply from the CCPO on a plea seeking recovery of a boy detained illegally. Zakiya, the mother of Jamshed, said he and a friend, Qasim, had tried to board a flight from Lahore Airport after climbing the fence. “Qasim fell from the plane and died. Jamshed has been in police custody. Police has not disclosed where he is detained,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15^th, 2014.