27 January 2004	Tuesday	04 Zilhaj 1424

MULTAN, Jan 26: A civil court dismissed on Monday a suit filed by a circus owner against his nine Kyrgyz workers. Judge Allah Bakhsh Sheikh observed while dismissing the plea that the Kyrgyz artistes were the guests in the country and the Pakistan government and the court were bound to protect their rights.

The judge ruled that as prima facie it had been established that the circus owner did not provide facilities and proper accommodation to the Kyrgyz artistes according to the agreement signed between them. The artistes, therefore, were not liable to act upon the contract.

The judge said that the Kyrgyz artistes were also entitled to recover all the disputed remunerations from the circus owner. A 'missing' female member of the Kyrgyz troupe had appeared with the owner before the court and deposed that she was performing in the circus at her free will.

Pak-China Circus owner Israr Sherazi had filed a suit with a civil court against nine foreign artistes, accusing them of not performing in the circus according to the agreement.

The artistes informed the court on Friday last that the circus owner was not fulfilling the agreement under which he had brought them to Pakistan. The court had summoned both the parties on Jan 26.

It was learnt that the Kyrgyz artistes contacted the Jaleelabad police station in the evening to file a case against the circus owner for recovery of their dues. The police had reportedly summoned Mr Sherazi on Tuesday to settle the matter of payment before registration of the case.