Security concerns: Petition about shrine visits dismissed

LAHORE:

A two-member Supreme Court (SC) bench on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking round the clock opening of all shrines in the Punjab. Rana Muhammad Attique filed the petition, stating that the shrines should be kept open round the clock to facilitate devotees from far-flung areas.

“A notification issued by the Auqaf Department about closure of shrines after Isha was annulled by the Lahore High Court. However, the authorities have been flouting the court orders and visitors are not being allowed at night,” he said.  He said that the LHC had dismissed his application, seeking the implementation of its previous order. The petitioner asked the apex court to direct the respondents to ensure the implementation of the court orders. The government’s counsel told the bench that the shrines could not be kept open round the clock due to security concerns.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2015.