LAHORE: A Lahore High Court (LHC) larger bench on Thursday sought arguments on the maintainability of petitions challenging the constitution of the second joint investigation team (JIT) by the then provincial government to hold a fresh probe into the 2014 Model Town incident.

The bench is headed by Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti with Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, Justice Aalia Neelum, Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf and Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Farhad Ali Shah, argued that Bisma Amjad, who had approached the Supreme Court with a request to form the second JIT, was not even a complainant or prosecution witness in the private complaint filed by the Minhajul Quran.

He said the woman had no locus standi to seek a fresh investigation in the case. He argued that the government violated the criminal law to form a new JIT.

Chief Justice Bhatti asked the petitioners’ counsel to explain the order of the Supreme Court first.

The counsel said the apex court disposed of the application of Ms Amjad in light of the statement of the advocate general of Punjab. He said it was not an order passed on the merits of the case.

The chief justice asked the counsel to satisfy the bench at the point of the maintainability of the petitions before the high court.

The counsel sought more time to render his assistance on the point.

The bench expressed displeasure over the unpreparedness of the counsel and asked him not to waste the time of his clients.

However, the bench adjourned further hearing till Dec 5.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2022