The courts of law, under article 199(3) of the constitution, are not empowered to proceed against the members of armed forces of Pakistan in any matter arising out of his service or in respect of any action taken in relation to him as a member of armed forces. This was stated by GSO-III GHQ Ghulam Shabbir Awan in reply to a petition filed by a member Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) M D Tahir in the Lahore High Court (LHC), challenging the action of respondent government allotting plots to the military high officials.

The respondent in his reply contended that allotment of plots are made in accordance with rules and valid policy under the prescribed procedure and in lawful course on merit of the case.

He, therefore, prayed to the court to dismiss the petition due to bar under article 199(3) of the Constitution of Pakistan.

PETITION AGAINST BASANT: The LHC is taking up on Wednesday two identical petitions challenging action of the respondent government to celebrate Basant festival.

The petitioners contended that Basant festival is un-Islamic and against our traditions. They contended that the respondent government, instead of providing basic facilities to the public, is misusing public exchequer, which is illegal, unconstitutional and against the national interests.

They prayed to the court to restrain the respondent government from celebrating Basant festival.

AJK CJ: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Justice Chaudhry Riaz Akhtar is addressing the members of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) on Wednesday, January 02 at 11:00am at Kiyani Hall of the bar on the invitation of LHCBA President Ahmed Awais.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005