LAHORE - A petition has been moved to the Lahore High Court seeking directives for the legislature to make law to publicly hang the paedophiles and other culprits involved in child pornography and sexual abuse. Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafree, the petitioner, submits that increasing incidents of children’ sexual abuse is horrific. But absence of stern punishment for the perpetrators was the main reason behind the rise in such incidents, the lawyer says, adding that to create deterrence in society, those who are involved in such crimes should be hanged publicly. “There is a need of legislation for child protection. The court is requested to order the federal government to make laws for exemplary punishment to pedophiles and pornographers,” he maintained.
Reply sought
The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought reply from the federal government and ministry of privatisation on a petition questioning the proposed privatisation of Pakistan International Airline (PIA). Justice Shahid Mobeen passed the order and directed a deputy attorney general to ensure submission of replies on privatisation of the national carrier.
A lawyer Nabeel Javed Kahloon had filed the petition submitting that the government had planned to privatise the PIA and was going to sell it to a company of own choice. He claimed that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who also owned a private airline in the country had vested interests in the privatization of the PIA. The petitioner said that the PIA was an identity of Pakistan in the world and its privatisation would cause an irreparable loss to national exchequer and the country’s image as well. He contended that the PIA had been established could not sell it without the approval by the parliament. He told the court that many institutions like Pakistan Steel Mills and PTCL were sold out. The petitioner said that the privatization of the government owned institutions had caused a great loss to the country. He asked the court stop the federal government from selling the PIA. The court adjourned hearing for three weeks, with directives to the federal government to come up with convincing arguments as to why the airline was being sold out to a private company.
UHS VC: The LHC on Tuesday directed Punjab government to submit reply about delay in appointment of a regular vice chancellor of University of Health Sciences (UHS) and working of acting-vice chancellor.
Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan took up the matter moved by a citizen Sheikh Waseem.
Sheikh Waseem, a local citizen, filed the petition through Advocate Nasir Qureshi and submitted that UHS had been without regular vice-chancellor for last one year. He said it was sheer violation of laws. The petitioner said that Dr. Masood’s appointment was unlawful and delay on the part of the government authorities was questionable. He further stated that the post occupied by Dr. Faisal Masood was neither advertised nor applications invited from equally eligible candidates for it.
The respondent had also reached the age of superannuation and should be declared disqualified as professor in the public sector, he said.
The petitioner prayed the court to seek explanation from Dr. Masood as to why he was holding the office as acting-chancellor despite reaching the age of superannuation. He also prayed the court to direct the government to make appointment of any qualified and eligible person for the said post. The judge directed the government to file its reply by Feb 12.