News
LHC warns govt of civil warLAHORE: A full bench of the Lahore High Court, headed by Justice Khalid Mehmood Khan on Tuesday directed the federal and Punjab governments to submit on Wednesday (today) a plan for the protection of people during the December 15 shutdown call of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The bench remarked that the government should demonstrate its writ as there would be no place for hiding if a civil war erupted. The bench observed it was high time to wake up as there had been no public peace for the last four months. The bench expressed serious concern over poor law and order following a political crisis in the country and suggested to the federal government to ‘sit at home’ if it could not deliver.
The bench, comprising Justice Khalid Mehmood Khan, Justice Shahid Hameed Dar and Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq, was hearing petitions against the protests of the opposition parties, especially by the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek.
The petitions demand the arrest of Dr Tahirul Qadri as he had not obtained bail in at least 40 cases in different cities of Punjab.
Another petition seeks proceedings under Article 6 of the Constitution against Imran Khan and Dr Qadri. A petitioner asks the court to order the government to ensure protection of citizens and traders of Lahore during the PTI call on December 15.
The government did not want to show its muscles, said an additional attorney general in response to a court query about the 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 the dark.
The bench conceded to arguments of Advocate AK Dogar that the country was passing through very bad state of affairs and the situation could lead to anarchy.The bench allowed a 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 a treason petition against Dr Qadri as no one appeared to represent him. The bench observed that despite notices, the respondent was not interested in court proceedings.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk