LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the provincial government to proceed strictly in accordance with law in a matter relating to the upcoming meeting of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) at Minar-i-Pakistan on Dec 13.

Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi observed that a brother judge had already decided the identical question in two other petitions.

Therefore, the judge ordered, “In the meanwhile, respondents are directed to proceed in the matter strictly in accordance with law and submit a report for the preventive steps being taken by them in this regard on the next date of hearing.”

A law officer on behalf of the government assured the court that the authorities would enforce the applicable law and strict observance of the Covid-19 related SOPs.

The judge will resume hearing on Dec 15.

Judicial Activism Panel’s chairman Advocate Azhar Siddique had filed the petition saying the Covid-19 situation was out of control because the local administration as well as government failed to make available certain lifesaving drugs meant to deal with symptoms of the novel virus.

The lawyer alleged that the unavailability of medicine and the failure of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) in this regard was a violation of Article 9 of the Constitution.

He asked the court to restrain all political parties from holding any type of gatherings for next three months at least, and a direction to the government to enforce the Covid-19 SOPs.

Published in Dawn, December 11th, 2020