LAHORE   -  The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday suspended orders of a Sessions Court for registration of a criminal case against skipper of national cricket team Babar Azam for allegedly raping, harassing and blackmailing a woman. The court also issued notices to SHO Naseerabad police station and Hamiza Mukhtar for February 8 and sought reply.

Justice Asjad Javaid Ghural passed the orders on a petition, filed by Babar Azam challenging orders for registration of the case against him. A counsel for Babar Azam informed the court that the Sessions Court had ordered SHO Naseerabad on January 14 to record the statement of Hamiza Mukhtar under Section 154 of CrPC and proceed as per law, while disposing of her application for registration of a case against the petitioner. 

He submitted that the judge ignored the case facts and did not apply his judicial mind while deciding the matter. He submitted that Hamiza Mukhtar had filed a false application with the intention of blackmailing his client. He submitted that the matter had been resolved after the parties reached a compromise in 2018.

LHC issues notice to govt on plea against re-opening of schools

LHC on Friday issued notices to federation and Punjab government for January 19 on a petition challenging re-opening of schools from January 18 without observing SOPs to deal with COVID-19.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the petition filed by Faisal G Meeran in the public interest.

A counsel on behalf of the petitioner pleaded with the court to declare re-opening of the schools from January 18 as illegal because the step was detrimental to lives of the students and their families.

He submitted that the step was announced without observing any safety and health measures, therefore, the schools should remain close till the provision of safe atmosphere, vaccine and transportation.

The counsel requested the court to order on-line classes for ensuring the safety of students and their families. He also pointed out that COVID-19 cases were rising in the country at present and it was bound to rise further with the opening of the schools.

However, federal and provincial law officers submitted that as per notification, the teachers and other staff members had been asked to start preparation for implementation of SOPs. They submitted that the decision was also subject to regular monitoring of the situation.

They also submitted that the National Command Operation Center had yet to make a final decision on the matter and its report would be submitted in the court. They also sought time for submission of the report.

Subsequently, the court issued notices to the respondents and sought replies by January 19.