LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of a woman suspect in a last year blast near the residence of Jamatud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed in Johar Town.

Suspect Ayesha contended through a counsel that she had no link to the incident or any terrorist organisation. She said the police charged her in the case as facilitator to show its performance only. She urged the court to release her on bail.

A division bench comprising Justice Asjad Javed Ghural and Justice Farooq Haider dismissed the bail petition. On June 23, 2021, the powerful blast near the residence of Hafiz Saeed in Johar Town killed three people and injured 24 others, including a police constable.

PbBC STRIKE: In adherence to a countrywide strike call by the Pakistan Bar Council, the Punjab Bar Council (PbBC) on Wednesday announced observing a full day strike on Jan 6 (today) as a protest against the proposed elevation of a junior judge of the Lahore High Court (LHC) to the Supreme Court.

The judicial commission is also scheduled to consider for the second time the elevation of Justice Ayesha A Malik, who is fourth in the seniority of the LHC judges, to the Supreme Court.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the council reiterated its stance against the violation of seniority principle in the elevation of the judges.

The commission in its previous meeting on Sept 9 had not reached a consensus on the elevation of Justice Malik and the matter was deferred.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2022