LAHORE: An additional district and sessions judge on Saturday directed a female member of Tehreek-i-Minhajul Quran (TMQ) to approach the police concerned first for the registration of a criminal case against organisation’s heads for not paying her the promised money for participating in the ‘Inqilab March’ and Islamabad sit-in.

Hajan Momina of Kot Lakhpat had sought registration of an FIR against Dr Tahirul Qadri, his son Hassan Mahayudin, daughter Fatima and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) President Raheeq Abbasi for not paying Rs3,500 per day to her and other six women of a batch for joining the anti-government protest.

Read: Exhausted protesters want to go home, organisers won't let them

However, during the course of hearing, it transpired to the court that the petitioner did not file an application with the police concerned and directly approached the court.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Masood Husain disposed of the petition and directed the petitioner to file her application for registration of the FIR to the police first.

Also read: Bus drivers who brought protesters losing patience

The judge also directed the Faisal Town station house officer to act on the petitioner’s application in accordance with the law and lodge a case if any cognizable offence was committed.

The judge asked the petitioner too to invoke the court’s jurisdiction again if her grievance stood unaddressed.

The petitioner stated that Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri had promised her and other women of her batch Rs3,500 per day.

Published in Dawn, January 4th, 2015

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