LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a reply from the provincial government on a petition against alleged corruption in the Punjab Youth Festival and entries of ‘fake records’ in the Guinness Book of World Records.

PPP parliamentarian Shaukat Basra filed the petition pleading the government claimed that various world records were made during the festival but the Guinness Book management denied the claims. He said the management of the organisation denied having sent its team to observe the ‘records’ made in the youth festival.

The petitioner said on one hand the government act tarnished Pakistan’s image in the world and on the other national exchequer was misused for holding a fake exercise.

He asked the court to direct the government to provide details of ‘records’ made in the festival and money spent on these activities. He urged the court to stay the activities of the festival till disposal of the petition.

MARYAM: The LHC sought a reply from the federal government on a petition challenging appointment of Maryam Nawaz as chairperson of “Prime Minister Youth Loan Programme”.

Iqtidar Shah filed the petition saying the appointment was made in violation of law and set criteria. He said neither a public notice nor an advertisement was issued before the impugned appointment.

He said prior consultation with the CCI was mandatory under the law but the appointment was made without following the procedure. He asked the court to set aside appointment of Maryam as loan programme chairperson.