The Lahore High Court (LHC), rejecting the Punjab government’s request to allow four weeks’ time, ordered it on Monday to file a reply by August 23 regarding a petition against inflation, black marketing and hoarding of food items.
Punjab Additional Advocate General Muhammad Shakeel had sought four weeks’ time to file a reply in the case. However, petitioner’s counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique opposed the request, saying it was the government’s move to facilitate hoarders and profiteers in making money in Ramadan.
The court, accepting the request, adjourned the matter till August 23. The court also issued notice to other respondents including the National Accountability Bureau and Federal Investigation Agency to file a report and comment on the matter.
Justice Muhammad Tariq was hearing the petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel through its Chairman Muhammad Azhar Siddique against the federal and provincial governments for not taking action against hoarders and profiteers. The petitioner submitted that wheat, sugar, maize, fruit, vegetables and other food items were basic amenities and their “fair supply” was covered under Article 9 of the constitution.
He said the federal and provincial governments had failed to control hoarding and black marketing of essential food products which was against the fundamental principles of the state and Islam. The petitioner requested the court to issue orders of legal action against hoarders and profiteers, modify laws to check the perpetrators and implement magisterial system to control the practice.
— grants bail to former
Punjab Health DG: A division bench of the Lahore High Court granted bail on Monday to former Punjab Health director general (DG) Dr Saeed Ahmad Qureshi by suspending his conviction awarded by an accountability court. The bench comprising Justice Sheikh Ahmad Farooq and Justice Muhammad Anwaarul Haq ordered the former DG to deposit surety bonds worth Rs 200,000 against the bail. The court passed the order on a petition filed by the former DG submitting an accountability court had awarded three years’ sentence to him on charges of misuse of authority. However, three others accused in the matter were acquitted while the fourth one fled. The petitioner said he was innocent hence his conviction must be set aside. After hearing the arguments, the bench suspended Qureshi’s punishment and granted him bail.
