Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry who took note of a case regarding prize bond schemes across the country, observed that prize bong schemes, lucky draws and lotteries are gambling and unlawful. Justice Tariq Pervez while hearing the case said that lucky-draw schemes are a punishable crime, and those organising such schemes as well as those partaking in them are both equally responsible and guilty. The statement of the Supreme Court Judges leaves no doubt that all these prize bonds are unlawful. One wonders according to which law Central Directorate of National Savings, Ministry of Finance, government of Pakistan are running such schemes. Many multinational companies (especially mobile phone operators) conduct lucky draws, and one wonders why they are not being stopped.
MUBASHIR MAHMOOD,
Karachi, April 11.