LHC seeks JITs’ reports in Model Town case

LAHORE:A Lahore High Court full bench on Tuesday sought findings of the two Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) formed in Model Town incident and record of the cabinet’s approval for formation of the JITs.

As the bench resumed hearing, Additional Advocate General Mushtaq Mohal appeared and sought time to submit the required details. He said the record could not be available due to massive reshuffle in the bureaucracy of Punjab. The law officer assured the bench that all the record would be presented on next hearing.

Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan, who headed the bench, observed that chief secretary and other responsible officials would be summoned in case of default. “The judiciary is not weak,” the judge reminded the law officer. The bench adjourned further hearing until January 14.

Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and Justice Alia Neelum were other members at the bench. The PTI government had constituted on January 3, 2019 second JIT for a fresh probe into the Model Town carnage. However, the bench had on March 22 suspended the notification of the JIT. Khurram Rafiq and other police officials facing trial in the Model Town case had challenged the legitimacy of the new JIT.

lynching case: An anti-terrorism court Tuesday sought a list of legal heirs after an application moved by complainants that the both parties have reached compromise in Youhanabad lynching case. It is learnt that complainants have moved an application under Section 345-K of CrPC. The court after receiving application has sought a list of legal heirs of the deceased persons.

Judge Aziz Ullah on Friday framed charges against 42 Christian suspects in the Youhanabad lynching case of two Muslim men Babar Noman and Naeem.

electric vehicle policy: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought a report from the federal government on the introduction of electric vehicle policy and conversion of oil refineries to adopt Euro-IV standards.

Hearing multiple petitions against the government’s failure to control smog, Chief Justice-designate Mamoon Rashid Sheikh observed that poor fuel quality was contributing towards air pollution.

A provincial law officer told the court that the government was taking drastic measures against environmental pollution and more measures would be announced in next cabinet meeting on implementation of smog policy and closure of kilns industry, which failed to convert on zigzag technology.

The law officer said that environmental protection council had been constituted and it would conduct a meeting on January 2, to implement the smog policy.

Justice Sheikh expressed satisfaction over the report, however, observed had the government taken emergency measures in time the Lahore would not have become most polluted city of the world.