KARACHI, May 28: Justice Ataur Rahman of the Sindh High Court reserved order on a writ petition moved by a Pakistani American mother for transfer of custody of her 18-month-old son from his father, who wants to re-emigrate to Pakistan.
Petitioner Saadia Qureshi would continue to see Hamza at the Defence residence of her in-laws where her estranged husband, Khurram Shehzad Qureshi, is putting up. The SHC nazir has been asked to supervise the arrangement to ensure that no untoward incident takes place during the meetings. Saadia had complained of her maltreatment at one such previous meeting.
Appearing for Khurram, Advocate M. Ilyas Khan submitted that the petitioner would take the child to the US if allowed Hamza's custody. Hamza's name was entered in her passport.
Advocate Khwaja Naveed Ahmed submitted on behalf of the petitioner that she was prepared to furnish any security for ensuring Hamza's 'regular meetings with his father'.
The mother is the natural custodian and guardian of an 18-month-old child. The child had an independent passport and his name was not entered in Saadia's passport. Meanwhile, Khurram has initiated custody proceedings in a guardian court of Lahore.
STATUS QUO ORDERED: The Sindh High Court asked the directors of a private company owned by Pakistani and American shareholders to maintain status quo till the hearing of a dispute between them.
A suit has been filed by Farhat Paracha, wife of Saifullah Paracha, who was picked up in Thailand by American authorities and is being detained in Kabul, against his American partners Charles Anteby and his wife, Marissa.
She submitted through Advocate Nisar A. Mujahid that Mr Anteby, his wife and another American director of M/s International Merchandise (Pvt) Limited, their joint concern, were out to harm it and its Pakistani shareholders and directors.
The plaintiff has taken over as chief executive of the company after the arrest and detention of her husband and son, Uzair Paracha, who was tried in the United States.
Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, who entertained the suit, observed in his order: "Prima facie it appears that there is some dispute between the parties and perhaps that has escalated into the level of accusations and exchange of threats. Consequently, parties shall maintain status quo till the next date. The hearing is adjourned to a date in office to be fixed after the summer vacation.
"Upon a perusal of the plaint, it appears that basically the dispute is between the shareholders inter se and in my opinion, all the Pakistani shareholders who have claims against their foreign counterparts should be impleaded as co-plaintiffs. The plaint shall be amended accordingly. The company shall be made a pro forma defendant."