Fact-finding: LHC seeks copies of notifications on inquiry tribunals

LAHORE:

A full bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the federal government on Friday to file copies of the notifications appointing inquiry tribunals and judicial commissions.

The court directed the government to file the copies by April 10 or it would summon the federal law secretary.

The bench was hearing petitions filed by Muhammad Irfan and others seeking court’s directive to make public the report of the judicial inquiry into last year’s rioting in Model Town. The court had asked for the copies at the last hearing too. On Friday, the government sought more time. “How can a government run a country when it is unable to produce its notifications?” Justice Khalid Mahmood remarked.

Muhammad Azhar Siddique, counsel for one of the petitioners, requested the court to order the government to provide him findings of the inquiry tribunal. It should also be placed on the record of court, he said.

He said the inquiry by an LHC tribunal was one-sided because no representative from the aggrieved party [Minhajul Quran] had appeared before it. He sought the court’s directive for the constitution of a judicial commission in view of suggestions made by Minhajul Quran’s representatives.

“The inquiry by the LHC tribunal is vague and uncertain. The inquiry report needs to be set aside if it has failed to identify the culprit.”

In his petition, Advocate Aftab Bajwa sought an amendment to the law to enhance jurisdiction, power and authority of the tribunals.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2015.