Chinese locomotive company withdraws its case

• LHC refuses to hear case against man involved in attacking Sri Lankan cricket team

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday dismissed the case as the Chinese company withdrew its petition against cancellation of contract by Pakistan government for supply of 75 locomotives.

Appearing before the court, counsel for the company requested the court that he wanted to withdraw the petition on behalf of his client. Alternatively, a law officer submitted that they were negotiating with the company over the matter and the company is already repairing the locomotives.

The chief justice appreciated that despite cancellation of the contract the company was repairing the locomotives.

Dongfang Electric International Corporation’s Representative Sun Zhenping filed a writ petition and argued that the company had entered into an agreement with the Pakistan government for supply of 75 locomotives in 2008, which the government terminated on May 16, 2013.

Under the agreement for establishing its bona fide, the tendering firm was obliged to deposit with a credible bank the advance payment of $15.77 million made by Pakistan in June 2009.Pakistan government had also served a notice to the company for return of down payment.

In the previous hearing, the petitioner sought a stay order against the demand of the Pakistani government for getting back the bank guarantee but the court declined its request and ordering it to prove its credentials.

The China-based firm pleaded the federation through Secretary (railways) Chairman of Railway Board, Director (procurement), Islamabad, general managers (operation and manufacturing) as well as Public Procurement Regulatory Authority as respondents.

FATHER ACQUITTED IN DAUGHTER’S MURDER: A division bench of the LHC on Thursday set aside death sentence awarded to a man by Sessions Court on charges of killing his three-month-old daughter and ordered his acquittal.

Sessions court at Gujranwala had handed down death sentence to Muhammad Shafiq for killing his daughter, Manahil by smashing her on the ground.

Counsel for accused pleaded before a benched headed by Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik that there was ample proof to establish his client’s innocence.

After perusing the record, a bench headed by Justice Manzoor acquitted him of the charges by giving him benefit of the doubt and set aside sessions court’s order of death sentence.

BAIL GRANTED TO SRI LANKAN TEAM ATTACKER: LHC Justice Anwarul Haq on Thursday refused to hear an appeal moved by the Punjab Prosecution Department seeking cancellation of bail of Zubair alias Naik Muhammad, involved in attacking the Sri Lankan team.

When hearing resumed, the judge said that the petition should be heard by the bench hearing appeals against decisions of the Anti-terrorism court (ATC).

The judge excused himself and forwarded the case to the respective bench.

The Punjab Prosecution Department submitted an appeal that a trail court granted bail to the accused despite evidences and witnesses. The appeal said that the trail court had overlooked facts and evidences and ordered for the release of the accused.

The prosecution requested the court to set aside the decision of the trail court and to order the police to arrest the accused.

The Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked on March 3, 2009, as a bus carrying the cricketers which was part of a larger convoy, was fired at with AK-47 rifles, rockets and hand-grenades by 12 gunmen near the Liberty Square.

LHC TAKES NOTICE OF GIRL SET ABLAZE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday took notice of the 13-year-old girl who was burnt after a rape attempt.

The district and sessions judge Rahim Yar Khan has been directed to probe into the matter and to submit a detailed report regarding steps taken by the local police along with his comments.

According to details, father of the victim, a resident of Dadla Shaheed Colony, Ahmedpur Lama, told police that his daughter went to see her friend in the neighbourhood. He said that her friend’s brother opened the door and told her to wait as his sister was on her way.

The father said that the friend’s brother attempted to rape her daughter and upon failure threw kerosene oil on her and set her on fire before fleeing. The victim was taken to the District Headquarters Hospital from where she was sent to Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan where her condition was stated to be critical.

Ahmadpur Lama Police have registered a case against the accused and started investigation.

The LHC Complaint Cell took notice of the news and directed the concerned D&SJ to look into the matter and submit a report within a week.