Containers removal if Qadri takes responsibility for losses: court

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday offered lawyers of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to have the containers/hurdles placed in and around Model Town removed if party chief Dr Tahirul Qadri took responsibility for any loss of life or property during his Youm-i-Shuhada. Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan gave this option to PAT lawyers when they opposed ‘security measures’ adopted by police and placement of containers on all entry and exit points of Model Town, the area where Dr Qadri resided. Justice Khan was hearing two petitions -- against suffering of citizens due to blocking of thoroughfares and arrest of PAT workers and not allowing people to reach Model Town. The first petition was filed by Hasan Awais, a resident of Model Town, while the other by Manzoor Husain, a PAT worker. Advocate Ahmad Awais argued on behalf of the first petitioner that police had blocked all roads leading to Model Town and compelled the residents to stay indoors. He said the government was using all official machinery, force, personnel and equipment to stop PAT from observing Youm-i-Shuhada. He said residents of Model Town, Model Town Extension, Faisal Town, Garden Town and Muslim Town were facing massive problems due to the containers placed on almost all roads in the areas. Advocate Awais argued the government had no right to disturb lives of citizens due to an individual. Punjab Inspector General Mushtaq Sukhera appeared before the court and said containers were placed to protect citizens. Punjab Advocate General Hanif Khatana said Dr Qadri had death threats and police adopted strict measures for his protection. Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan also summoned the capital city police officer (CCPO) along with the security plan under which a large police force had been deployed and containers placed on roads. The officer presented the plan, however, the judge directed him to submit a revised version on the next hearing. Advocate Rafaqat Ali Kahlon argued on behalf of the PAT and said the police took “extraordinary security measures” only to restrict citizens’ participation in the Youm-i-Shuhada gathering. Justice Khan sought an affidavit from the lawyer on behalf of Dr Qadri that he would be responsible for any loss of life or damage to property, and the court would order removal of all containers and barricades. However, the judge restrained the police from arresting Pakistan Awami Tehreek lawyers without the permission of the court. The judge will resume hearing on Saturday (today). Legal notice Former secretary of the Lahore High Court Bar Association Rana Asadullah Khan has sent a legal notice to Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri for levelling a false allegation against him. Advocate Khan is the younger brother of Punjab Law Minister Rana Mashhood. Advocate Khan, in his notice, said he had never been a legal adviser to the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA). He also denied an allegation of Dr Qadri that he had been serving the government as legal adviser against a monthly salary of Rs1 million. He stated he had been working for TDCP as a legal adviser against a salary of Rs40,000. He warned Dr Qadri of legal proceedings if he did not tender an apology. The notice further warns that a court of law will be moved for damages of Rs1 billion if Dr Tahirul Qadri fails to apologise for levelling false allegations. Published in Dawn, Aug 9th, 2014