LHC seeks reply from govt on Newsgate commission

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought a reply from the federal government on a petition challenging the constitution of an inquiry committee, headed by retired justice Aamir Raza A. Khan, to probe into the Newsgate. 

Former law minister Babar Awan represented the petitioner and contended that all the members of the inquiry committee belonged to the Punjab and had close relations with the Sharif family. 

A federal government’s counsel opposed the petition and argued that the inquiry committee was constituted in accordance with the law and the Constitution. He said the law empowered the government to form an inquiry committee or commission. 

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah adjourned the hearing until Dec 14 and directed the law officer to apprise whether constitution of a new commission was being considered by the government. The chief justice also asked the officer to respond to the query on selection of the committee’s members from Punjab only.