LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday again issued notice to the federal and Punjab governments for April 26 on a petition challenging removal of US national Raymond Davis’ name from the Exit Control List (ECL) without obtaining consent of the LHC.
Barrister Javed Iqbal Jaffrey filed the petition requesting the court to seek explanation from former federal law minister Senator Dr Babar Awan, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Additional District and Sessions Judge (AD&SJ) Yousaf Aujla and others for allowing Davis to leave the country despite LHC’s restraining orders.
The petitioner submitted that the LHC had directed the government to include the name of Davis in the ECL and the court was assured by a law officer and the ministry concerned that the same had been implemented. Jaffrey submitted that on Davis’ release, the LHC order was intact, as the court had not suspended or withdrawn its order.
The petitioner contended that in violation of court orders, Davis was allowed to leave the country and Shahbaz claimed that he was not aware of the development. Separately, the LHC disposed of a petition seeking court orders to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (PEMRA) to allow temporary up-linking facility for sports channel Geo Super.
Earlier, the court rejected the petitioners’ counsel request for immediate relief observing that it could not be granted without hearing the respondents.
