Court throws out plea against drone attacks

LAHORE - A division bench of the Lahore high court on Tuesday upheld single bench’s order of dismissing a petition against US drones attacks and declare it an enemy state, observing that it is a policy matter in which court could not interfere saying it was up to the federal government to take a decision in his regard.
The bench headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar observed that no way a court could declare the US an enemy state because it was the responsibility of Parliament and government to decide about war against USA.
Pakistani and Indian army exchange fire very often in different sectors and sometimes casualties also occur but on the basis of such incidents the courts cannot declare war against India, observed the court.
The court also questioned that it is yet to be seen whether Pakistan has capability of hitting drones and how far can our missile system target accurately.
The court was hearing an intra court appeal filed by ‘Wukala Mahaz Barai Tahafaz Dastoor’ against single bench’s order.
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa had dismissed this petition on October 9 last observing that petitioner’s prayers were either outside the scope of jurisdiction of the court or they pertained to matters of public policy which the court had consistently refrained from entering into.
Dr Basit said drone attacks started in Pakistan in 2005 and since then 3,000 innocent citizens had been martyred. He said the US is killing our people and should be declare an enemy state.