LAHORE, March 21: A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court on Friday, calling for imposition of ban on the corporate business of the American companies in Pakistan.

Petitioner M D Tahir moved this application through a writ petition already filed in the court, requesting issuance of directives to the State for adopting a clear stance on the US attacks.

Mr Tahir said in the application that Pakistan, being an Islamic country, was legally and constitutionally bound to stand by the Iraqis in the hour of crisis. He added that the only effective way to do so was to ban the US corporate business in the country.

He demanded immediate ban on the six American companies offering services in food, beverage, banking and vehicle manufacturing sectors.

It was also submitted in the petition that the Pakistani government allegedly supported the US in their aggression against Iraq, and did not condemn it’s conduct.

According to the petitioner, this ‘silence’ of the State was in violation of Article 40 of the Constitution, which binds it to strive to strengthen fraternal relations among the Muslim countries.

Pakistan should have taken steps to unite the Muslim countries on this issue, the petitioner said, alleging that it did not take practical steps for Iraq.