LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought appearance of NAB prosecutor general on a petition against the bureau for not initiating a probe into offshore companies allegedly owned by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his family.

Hearing the petition filed by a local journalist, a division bench headed by Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf also issued notices to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for Oct 5.

Earlier, Advocate Azhar Siddique, representing the petitioner, argued that the matter of Panama papers was very sensitive and needed to be investigated without any delay as allegations of establishing offshore companies by the rulers brought a bad name to the country.

He said several applications had been filed to NAB chairman for action against the premier, his family members and all others named in the leaks but no inquiry had been initiated into the matter.

He said the NAB had no reason for not initiating an inquiry after the chief justice of Pakistan refused to constitute judicial commission without a consensus between government and the opposition on its ToR (terms of reference).

The lawyer pointed out that the Section 18 of the NAB ordinance empowered the bureau to initiate inquiry into any matter on its own.

The lawyer asked the court to direct the NAB to start an investigation into the allegations of offshore companies established by the rulers and others.

Reply Sought: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Tuesday sought a detailed reply from the federal government on a petition seeking cancellation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s registration as a political party.

As the court resumed hearing, Advocate Ahmad Awais argued on behalf of the petitioner that the government did not decide an application filed with a request to cancel registration of the MQM.

He pleaded that a political party registered in Pakistan had to be faithful to the country but the recent statements of Altaf Hussain had established that the party was no more faithful to the country.

He prayed to the court to order the government to cancel registration of the MQM as a political party.

A standing counsel told the court that any citizen could submit an application to the federal government on any matter.

The chief justice directed the government counsel to submit a reply to the petition and referred the matter to a full bench already seized with a case regarding ban on the activities of Altaf Hussain.

Hearing was adjourned till Oct 5.

Advocate Aftab Ahmad Virk had filed the petition.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2016