March 29, 2006	Wednesday	Safar 28, 1427

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LAHORE, March 28: A division bench of the Lahore High Court, comprising Justice Mohammad Muzammil Khan and Justice Syed Shabbar Rza Razvi, allowed Deputy Attorney-General Dr Danishwar Malik a period of one month to submit a written reply in an appeal through which advocate M D Tahir sought the repatriation of Biharis from Bagladesh to Pakistan.

The adjournment was allowed when the DAG submitted that the matter was important and involved international repercussions, and the federal government would like to submit a comprehensive policy statement with regard to the Biharis’ future.

Advocate Tahir stated in the appeal that around 225,000 Pakistanis were living in 66 camps when Bangladesh came into being in 1971. He stated that the Punjab government was bound by a resolution of the provincial assembly to make arrangements for the repatriation of the Biharis, who, he submitted, were Pakistanis for all practical purposes after they opted for Pakistan instead of becoming the citizens of Bangladesh.

He submitted that the Punjab government under former chief minister Ghulam Haider Wyne took some positive steps for the Biharis’ repatriation to Pakistan. It was during his government that a residential colony was established for the Biharis at Mian Channu. He submitted that only 17 houses in that colony were occupied by Bihari families after their repatriation to Pakistan. The remaining houses, he stated, were still vacant and awaiting the bonafide residents.

Advocate Tahir submitted that China, Saudi Arabia and the Motamir Aalim-i-Islami had extended their cooperation and financial support for the Biharis repatriation, and a huge money was still available for the purpose.