LAHORE: A two-member bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday sought details from the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) regarding illegal marriage halls and markets.
The bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, passed these orders while hearing a suo motu notice over exorbitant fees charged by the private medical colleges, at the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry.
As the proceedings began, Dr Fareed Al-Zafar appeared before the bench and tendered an unconditional apology. At this, the bench withdrew contempt notice issued to him.
The bench on Wednesday had stopped Dr Fareed from working as vice chancellor of Faisalabad Medical University and issued a contempt notice for offering an admission to a woman lawyer’s acquaintance in a private medical college despite the court’s restraining orders.
Asif Rajwana also appeared before the bench in response to a notice and tendered an unconditional apology. However, the bench asked him to tender a written apology.
The owners/representatives of Pak Red Crescent Medical and Dental College, Amna Inayat Medical College, Rashid Latif Medical College and Sharif Medical and Dental College also appeared and answered various queries of the bench regarding fee structure and other matters.
At this, the bench directed the colleges to submit details of their bank accounts, admissions and other matters while observing that money should not become a hindrance for intelligent students.
The LDA DG, submitting an initial report regarding Hameed Latif Hospital’s construction, sought time to submit the detailed report. While explaining parking/traffic problems near Hameed Latif Hospital, the director general briefed the bench that the authority sealed 144 illegal marriage halls but the same were de-sealed due to court’s stay orders.
The bench also expressed annoyance over lack of parking facilities in markets and plazas and sought details of illegal marriage halls and markets within 10 days. The bench observed that it would take action in this regard.