LHC orders uniform consular protection policy by April 26

Asks foreign secy to look into cases of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday showed annoyance over government’s failure to devise a consular protection policy for Pakistani prisoners in Saudi Arabia. 

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah was hearing a petition filed by families of citizens imprisoned in Arab countries. 

At the outset, a federal law officer told the court that the ministry could issue guidelines for Pakistanis living abroad and ensure their access to the consular only. The CJ remarked that how long foreign affairs ministry would sit silent on the issue. He observed that the government should at least take a position on the matter of protecting Pakistani prisoners abroad.

The chief justice observed, “it appears that the government has adopted a policy of “no policy” on overseas Pakistanis in Arab countries especially.” 

The CJ directed the government to come up with a uniform consular protection policy by April 26 and also asked the foreign secretary to look into cases of Pakistanis imprisoned abroad mentioned in the petition.

Earlier, amicus curiae (friend of court) Advocate Sameer Khosa also stated before the court that Pakistan could take many steps to protect its citizens from violation of their rights, including diplomatic reprisals, recalling ambassadors and providing funding in addition to consular access.

Verdict reserved: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday reserved verdict on a petition challenging functioning of Punjab University’s equivalence department.

Earlier, the university’s counsel concluded his arguments pleading that establishment of the equivalence department was a policy decision of the university and the court could not interfere into the matter. He requested the court to dismiss the petition for being not maintainable. Advocate Sheraz Zaka had filed the petition contending that sole prerogative to recognise degree was vested with Higher Education Commission (HEC).

He argued that Punjab University was exploiting students and had opened equivalence department by charging Rs1,000.

The lawyer argued that higher education commission had the authority to recognise degrees under Higher Education Commission Ordinance 2002.  In its reply, Higher Education Commission had termed the functioning of the equivalence department at Punjab University illegal. Justice Atir Mahmood reserved the judgement.

Shaukat Basra: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought replies from the Punjab government and police authorities on a petition of PPP leader Shaukat Mahmood Basra seeking state protection/security citing serious threats to his life.

Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali also directed IGP and SSP Operations, Lahore to ensure that no untoward incident took place and the petitioner (Basra) was not killed in any fake police encounter.

Earlier, Advocate Sardar Khurram Latif Khosa appeared on behalf of Mr Basra and alleged that the PML-N government had hatched a conspiracy to kill the petitioner.

The counsel said that alleged suspects involved in a recent life attempt made on him in Haroonabad were being provided full leverage and they had been extending threats to petitioner and his family.