September 29, 2005	Thursday	Sha'aban 24, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, Sept 28: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has declared charity-based business through lottery as un-Islamic.

The council at a meeting here on Wednesday with its Chairman Dr Muhammad Khalid Masood in the chair declared that the concept of charity-based business through lottery was wrong as the spirit of piety waned, when lottery and commercial objectives were included in good deeds.

The council also discussed Zakat system, human rights situation in the country and the Ijara Sukuk scheme of the State Bank of Pakistan, says a press release issued by the council.

The press release, however, made no mention of the Punjab Development Fund (PDF) lottery being run by the provincial government.

LHC BUILDING CASE: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday stayed demolition of the Lahore High Court building which is being carried out to construct new court-rooms.

A three-judge bench comprising Justice Bhagwandas, Justice Shakirullah Jan and Justice Hamid Ali Mirza was hearing a leave-to-appeal petition filed by former president of Lahore High Court Bar Association Ahmed Awais. The appeal is directed against June 6, 2005, order of the LHC which cleared way for the demolition of the west wing of the LHC building. The structure, it may be mentioned here, is listed at number three on the protected heritage list.

On June 6, 2005, a single-judge bench of the LHC, through an in-chamber order, had allowed the demolition.

The petitioner pleaded before the apex court to order initiation of action under penal laws against people involved in the demolition of the historic building. Under the law, those demolishing a protected heritage can be imprisoned for one year and fined.

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