LAHORE, July 31: Justice Sheikh Najamul Hasan of the Lahore High Court on Wednesday refused to hear a bail petition moved by Malik Ishaq, a leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat (formerly known as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi).

The judge’s refusal came during hearing of two cases registered by Bhakkar police against the accused on charges of delivering provocative speeches.

On Wednesday, when the investigation officer produced the audio and video record of the speeches, the judge scolded him for not making the record part of the case evidence.

At this, the counsel for the accused objected to the judge’s remarks and requested him not to hear the petition.

Justice Hasan, therefore, referred the petition to LHC chief justice with a request to fix it before any other court.

Ishaq, through his counsel, pleaded that the cases against him were based on political victimisation. He stated the police registered the cases without any concrete evidence.

luxury tax plea: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought a detailed reply from the Punjab government on a petition challenging imposition of luxury tax on houses of two kanals or more.

Barrister Mian Bilal filed the petition and submitted that the government unjustly imposed the luxury tax. He said the government was already charging the property tax and now the new tax was against the principle of natural justice.

He stated that impugned tax violated articles 4, 8, 23, 24 and 25 of the Constitution.

The lawyer said after imposition of the tax the relevant department was sending notices to different house owners.

Justice Nasir Saeed Sheikh issued notice to the government for next week.