LHC expresses annoyance over govt’s failure to resolve issues

LAHORE:

Expressing serious concern over bad law and order situation following political crisis in the country, the Lahore High Court on Tuesday suggested the federal government to sit at home if it could not deliver.

A full bench headed by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan was hearing multiple petitions against protests of opposition parties especially by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek. Petitions demand arrest of Dr Tahirul Qadri as he has not obtained bail in at least 40 cases registered in different cities of Punjab. Another petition seeks proceedings under Article 6 of the Constitution against Imran Khan and Dr Qadri for their acts allegedly fall within the ambit of treason. A petitioner asks the court to order the government to ensure protection of citizens and traders of Lahore as well during the shutter-down call of PTI on Dec 15.

Justice Shahid Hameed Dar and Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq were other members of the bench.

During the course of hearing the bench observed that it was a high time to wake up as there was no public peace for the last four months.

The government did not want to show its muscles, said an additional attorney general Naseer Ahmad Bhutta in response to a court’s query about failure of the government in maintaining law and order.

The bench remarked that life in cities would be paralysed if the government did not show seriousness towards the protests. Recalling the Dhaka tragedy, Justice Khalid Khan said the government should not keep the nation in dark.

The bench conceded to arguments of Advocate A.K Dogar that the country was passing through very bad state of affairs and the situation could lead to anarchy.

The bench directed the federal and Punjab governments to submission Wednesday (today) a plan for the protection of Lahorites during the shutter-down call of PTI.

The bench allowed last chance to the government to submit its reply next week about petitions seeking treason proceedings against the respondents and arrest of Dr Qadri. The bench also decided to proceed ex-parte in treason petition to the extent of Dr Qadri as no one appeared to represent him. The bench observed that despite service of the notice the respondent (Qadri) was not showing interest in the court’s proceedings.