LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to submit a list of Pakistani citizens detained at Bagram Theatre Internment Camp, Afghanistan.

Earlier, the ministry told the court it did not yet have a final schedule for future releases of Pakistani citizens agreed with US authorities.

The ministry also acknowledged the need to transfer all Pakistani citizens detained in Bagram to Pakistan before Nato/US pull out on Dec 31, 2014.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Justice Project Pakistan for the release and repatriation of Pakistani citizens from the US captivity.

Petitioner’s counsel Barrister Sarah Belal said the reply submitted by the ministry did not answer court’s orders to provide the court with names of Pakistani citizens due to be released in the next batch.

She said the names of the previous batch of Pakistani released and repatriated were released one year in advance.

Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan termed the ministry’s response unsatisfactory and observed that the ministry was duty bound to protect fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens abroad.

The judge directed the ministry to submit an updated list of all Pakistani citizens detained in Bagram Internment Facility by US forces. The hearing postponed till April 2.

The JPP, a non profit law firm, sought release and return of 25 Pakistani citizens detained at the Bagram jail.

It said Pakistani citizens had been detained at Bagram without any charge or trial since 2003. It alleged that they were abducted from Pakistan and removed to the infamous US prison in Afghanistan.

COURT SECURITY: The Lahore High Court chief justice on Monday sought a reply from the Punjab chief secretary and inspector general of police on a petition demanding foolproof security arrangements on court premises.

The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) moved the petition after Islamabad district court terrorist attack.

As the chief justice took up the petition, bar president Shafqat Mahmood Chohan said protection of judges, lawyers and litigants visiting the courts was the police’s responsibility.

He said the incidents of murders and terrorist attacks on court premises had been increasing.

He said the attack on Islamabad district court was a clear evidence of Punjab police’s failure.

Mr Chohan said effective security measures had not been taken by the police despite repeated complaints lodged by bar associations. He asked the court to order the police to ensure protection of judges, lawyers and litigants on the court premises.

Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial adjourned the hearing for next week and directed the CS and IGP to submit their replies. The CJ also directed LHC office to consolidate all other petitions already filed about the same matter.