LAHORE - The Lahore High Court will hear on November 2 the petition against alleged non-implementation of the Nation Action Plan framed in 2014 to counter terrorism in the country.

Munir Ahmad, through his counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddque, urged the court to fix his petition for early hearing since the matter was of utmost importance in view of the fact that delay in the implementation of the Nation Action Plan, objective to completely wipe off terrorism in the country through eradicating its causes, will continue to hit snags.

His counsel alleged that the federal and the Punjab government were reluctant to carry out all 20 points of NAP and their mere lips service to the implementation was keeping the whole nation perturbed after over the country had suffered loss of over 60,000 lives and $115billion in material facing terrorism.

The counsel argued before the court that security of citizens, maintenance of peace and unveiling the real hands behind this continual terror spate is inevitable to ensure economic progress and development of the country.

He said the NAP implementation will also go a long way to unearth the hand of the foreign agencies particularly RAW in perpetration of the terror actions in the country hiring the local mercenaries.

He urged the court that hearing of the petition may be held at the earliest as implementation of NAP in letter and spirit has is necessary to eradicate terrorism and supplement the efforts going on successfully at the level of Zarb-e-Azb operation of the Army.

Justice Shahid Karim fixed the case to hearing on November 2.

Interior secy summoned

in MQM case

A full bench of the Lahore High Court yesterday called for the appearance of Interior secretary in person on the petitions which seek revocation of the MQM registration as political party and a treason case against its Qauid Altaf Hussain for uttering highly obnoxious remarks against Pakistan in a public speech on August 22.

The bench required the secretary to appear on October 24 when the case filed through Muhammad Azhar Siddique and others will come for up further hearing. The secretary is being required to inform the court as to what action so far has been taken on the subject matter by the federal government.

Siddique appeared before the bench, headed by Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and submitted that the MQM founder was repeatedly making anti-Pakistan speeches but the federal government had failed to take any action against him.

He said the speech he (Altaf) made on August 22 was the end of all as the MQm supremo therein not only chanted anti-Pakistan slogans but also invited the enemies of the country to intervene and repeat the 1971 like action, but no action has been taken against him.

Despite the order of the full bench, the counsel held, attorney general or any official of interior ministry has not entered appearance before the court.

At this, the bench expressed its displeasure and remarked that such behaviour of the government cannot be given countenance.

Addition Attorney General Ch Naseer Ahmed Butta sought time from the court, saying that the attorney general was busy with the meeting of the judicial commission as such he could not appear. At this Justice Naqvi remarked that anti Pakistan speeches were being delivered and the government was acting like a silent spectator.

The court on September 7, 2015 had issued orders restricting Pakistani television channels and newspapers from broadcasting or publishing speeches, statements, photos or activities of the MQM chief.

The LHC also issued instructions to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in this regard.

Through his advocate, Asma Jahangir, the MQM founder had challenged the LHC order before the Supreme Court which on November 3, 2015 had upheld the decision of the LHC where after ban is still intact on his coverage.

Reply sought over plea against women reserved seats

The Lahore High Court yesterday asked for the reply for November 16 from the Federal and Punjab government to a petition which has questioned the women reserved seats in the parliament.

The petitioner argues that women elected to the assembly on reserved seats do not truly represent the 49 per cent women population in the country as they are selected on the liking of party leadership but they are supposed to represent the whole segment of women, which is not true.

Therefore, the system of electing the women on reserved seats should be abolished and direct election for their assembly representation be held, the petitioner prays.