LAHORE, Aug 16: The Lahore High Court asked a federal law officer on Friday to produce the government order or notification, if any, barring Mian Shahbaz Sharif’s entry into Pakistan and adjourned further proceedings in a writ petition seeking the Pakistan Muslim League leader’s unhindered return home to August 20.

Justice Tasadduq Husain Jilani, who would be availing his summer vacation next week, referred the petition to the chief justice for consideration by another judge.

The petitioner, a PML (Nawaz) worker, says that Shahbaz Sharif has a constitutionally-guaranteed right to return home and lead his party in the forthcoming electoral contest. His counsel, Advocate AK Dogar, vehemently argued in favour of the petition and contended that Shahbaz Sharif was exiled against his wish. “If there is a deal as claimed by the government, what are its contents and why should they not be made public?” he asked.

Deputy Attorney-General Khwaja Saeeduz Zafar, who was present in another case, was asked by Justice Jilani whether the issue had been agitated before the court previously and, if so, what was the outcome.

The DAG said two petitions were filed for publication of the so-called deal and for cancellation of the citizenship rights of the Sharifs. Both were dismissed by the Lahore High Court. In any case, he said, the petition was not maintainable inasmuch as the petitioner had no locus standi in the presence of Mr Sharif and members of his family, one of whom (Hamza Shahbaz) permanently resides in Lahore. What if they disown the averments made in the petition? the law officer asked. Let the aggrieved party come forward, he said.

Mr Dogar said Hamza was too busy looking after the family business and it was basically for the party workers to seek their leader’s return. The petition has the sanction of PML’s Punjab chief Zulfiqar Ali Khosa. Besides, public interest petitions could be filed by any citizen as held by the Supreme Court.

Mr Saeeduz Zafar said the Supreme Court had wider powers than a high court. Only petitions for writs of habeas corpus and quo warranto can be moved by non-aggrieved persons.

The court asked the law officer to find out whether there was any order barring Mr Sharif’s entry and adjourned the hearing.