LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday issued notices to the ministries of interior and law and others on a petition seeking directions for strict legislation for cannibalism in the country.

Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh issued the notices on a petition filed by Advocate Kashif Sulmani.

Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel, arguing before the court, submitted that there was no strict punishment for cannibalism in the law.

He pointed out that two brothers, who were earlier sentenced for cannibalism, in Darya khan had again been found involved in the act.

Police arrested brothers, Mohammad Arif and Mohammad Farman earlier this week, and found a child's body parts at their residence in Punjab’s Bhakkar district.

The counsel said despite the accused admitting to eating more than 150 human corpses, they were handed only a two-year sentence due to lack of proper legislation in this regard.

He contended that it was a heinous crime but only minor punishments were given. He pleaded the court to issue directions for strict legislation for cannibalism.

The court, after hearing initial arguments, issued notices to the interior ministry, law ministry, Islamic Ideology Council (IIC) and DCO Bhakkar seeking replies in the next hearing.