KARACHI, Oct 12: Federal law officer and the counsel for PIA on Tuesday requested time to file comments on a petition against the wining up of Karachi Planetarium.

SHC's division bench, comprising Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Syed Zawar Hussain Jaffery, was hearing the petition filed by Abdul Sattar Sheikh who prayed the court to restrain the EPB and PIA from dismantling the planetarium.

Standing Counsel Ziauddin Nasir and Yawar Farooqui for PIA appeared before court on Tuesday and requested for time to file comments. The court granting time fixed the matter for Nov 3.

Petitioner said in his petition that it came into his knowledge through newspapers that respondents have agreed to wind up the planetarium. The petitioner stated that the action to close down the planetarium, established since 1980, was unjust as it was providing valuable information on astronomy not only to students, but general public and those who have interest in the said subject.

Meanwhile, the same court was informed by the counsel of the City District Government Karachi that a bachat bazar being held on a playground in SMCHS had been closed down.

The court, on a previous hearing had ordered the CDGK to take action for closure of unauthorized bachat bazar on a petition filed by the society, praying the court to restrain the city government and concerned departments from issuing permission about use of the playground as a bachat bazar and other functions.

Counsel for CDGK Manzoor Ahmed, informing court about the closure of the bachat bazar, requested time so that the concerned officer may appear before court. The court, granting the request, fixed Oct 20 for the next hearing. -PPI