LAHORE: A Lahore High Court full bench on Thursday warned the Punjab government of summoning the chief minister if a report of a judicial commission about a life attempt on Dr Tahirul Qadri was not produced before it.

Heading by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan, the bench was hearing a petition seeking a ban on Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and its chief Dr Tahirul Qadri as he was required in 40 cases registered in different districts.

In this case, Punjab home secretary Azam Suleman had already confessed before the court that the report of the judicial commission was not found in the record. On previous hearing, the bench had asked him to submit an affidavit to this effect.

On Thursday, additional home secretary Ehtisham Anwar told the bench that Mr Suleman was busy in activities related to Wahga border blast.

The bench expressed dismay and observed negligence of the government had caused Wagha border like incidents. The bench remarked that if the report was not produced by the next hearing, the CM could be summoned. The bench deferred hearing till Nov 13.

Earlier, petitioner’s counsel said the government was willfully avoiding submission of the report of the judicial inquiry held in 1990 about life attempt on Qadri.

PTI: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday objected to maintainability of petitions against its ‘Azadi March’ and dharna being heard by a Lahore High Court full bench.

As the bench resumed hearing of the petitions, Advocate Salman Makhdoom stated on behalf of the PTI that the Supreme Court was also hearing the same matter.

Therefore, he said, the high court could not hold proceedings on these petitions.

The lawyer further said the court could not issue a writ against a citizen under Article 199 of the Constitution.

Representing the petitioners, Advocate A.K Dogar opposed the arguments, saying the basic writ was sought against the government.

The bench directed the counsel for both sides to come up on the next hearing with more arguments on the point.

The bench also adjourned a petition seeking a treason case against Imran Khan and Dr Tahirul Qadri for their alleged attempts to create anarchy in the country.

A federal law officer filed an adjournment application on behalf of attorney general of Pakistan owing to his engagement in the Supreme Court in Islamabad.

The bench headed by Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan will take up the matter on Nov 13.

In the treason case, the petitioner said the Constitution empowered the court to protect rights of citizens. He said Article 5 of the Constitution required that every citizen would remain loyal to the state. But, he said, Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri had been inciting people to anarchy for the last three months.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2014