LAHORE - An application yesterday was filed in the Lahore High Court for early hearing of a pending petition seeking inquiry report of Model Town incident public.

Irfan Ahmad, a local resident, filed the petition through his counsel Advocate Azhar Siddique.

He stated that more than two years gone and the inquiry report could not be made public. He said that a full bench is hearing these petitions and requested that these should be fixed for early hearing. 

A number of petitions were filed on behalf of Idara Minhajul Quran, a lawyer Muhammad Irfan and others. The petitioner’s counsel stated that the inquiry held by LHC tribunal is a one-sided inquiry as no representative of aggrieved party appeared before it.

He sought direction for constitution a judicial commission in view of suggestions made by the representatives of aggrieved party (Minhajul Quran) from judges of the apex court. He submitted that the inquiry conducted by a tribunal of LHC is vague, uncertain and failed to cater the issues.

He said that the inquiry should be reviewed and if it has failed to unearth the real culprit the report needs to be set aside. He said that the Minhaj-ul-Quran institution, which was aggrieved party of the Model Town incident, also had the confidence on the apex court. He requested to order the government to provide him final finding of inquiry tribunal in view of Article 19-A of the Constitution and the same may also be placed on the record of court.

He also sought an amendment in the relevant law to enhance jurisdiction, power and authority of a tribunal, so that its recommendations may not be implemented only but enforced as judicial order and government failure on such recommendations may lead to legal action.

Meanwhile, the LHC yesterday gave time to federal and Punjab governments for filing reply in two petitions seeking conversion of Governor House, into educational institutions and the hospital.  Judge earlier had sought replies from both the government but they failed to comply the order. During the hearing on Thursday the counsel for both the government sought more time for filing reply and the judge accepted this request.

Lawyers Foundation’s head Advocate A K Dogar and Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafree filed these petitions submitting that the rulers for their personal use had occupied gigantic buildings, where common people could not afford shelter. Counsel said a huge amount of money had been spent for use and maintenance of these buildings which itself burden for the tax payer.

He said these buildings should used for productive purpose and best use of these huge building could be an educational institution. He said firstly, the government should sell out the building of the governor house and return the loan of the country.

He said if it is not possible, then the building should be converted into an educational institute and a hospital so that citizens of the province can have benefit of this building. He requested that directions should be issued to convert these vast buildings into universities and colleges so that children of this country could get education for survival in the global village.