LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday extended the pre-arrest interim bail of Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz in three different cases and directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to provide the petitioner with reasons for his arrest along with necessary documents.

A two-judge bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Sardar Ahmad Naeem was hearing the bail petitions of Hamza when his counsel pointed out that the NAB had not given them reasons for the arrest and the documents showing approval of the inquiries by the competent authority.

A NAB prosecutor told the bench that some documents had been furnished to the petitioner, however, a report of the Financial Monitoring Unit could not be handed over to him as it was protected under the anti-money laundering law.

The bench observed that the NAB had already apprised it of the reasons for the petitioner’s arrest. It directed the prosecutor to also provide the said information to the petitioner’s legal team and extended Hamza’s bail till May 22.

The NAB initiated inquiries against the opposition leader with regard to affairs of Ramzan Sugar Mills, Punjab Saaf Pani Company and assets beyond means.

Strict security arrangements had been made in and outside the high court before the arrival of Hamza Shahbaz and PML-N political workers were kept away from the courtroom.

KILNS: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday sought personal appearance of Punjab labour secretary to explain non-payment of wages to workers and incidence of child labour at brick kilns as alleged in a petition.

Ashiq Masih of an NGO, Human Voice, pleaded through his counsel Sheraz Zaka that Pakistan was a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and ratified the contract on rights of children.

He said the brick kiln workers were being deprived of their wages during the winter season as the industrial units remained closed because of causing smog. He argued that under the Payment of Wages Act 1936, the kiln workers could not be denied wages during the period when the industry remained closed.

The counsel also questioned employment of underage workers (children) at the brick kilns and said there were laws to curb child labour but the enforcement had not been effective.

Justice Jawad Hassan directed a law officer to ensure appearance of labour secretary in person, along with a report regarding steps taken to curb the child labour and protect wages of the brick kiln workers.

Hearing was adjourned till May 16.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2019