Staff Reporter
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday referred a petition filed for the release of 10,000 ailing inmates like Nawaz Sharif to Punjab Chief Secretary.
The court asked the Chief Secretary to decide the plea after hearing stance of the petitioner in accordance with the law. Justice Rasaal Hasan Syed passed the orders while disposing of a petition filed by Engineer Muhammad Ilyas, chairman Awam Dost Party.
The petitioner had submitted that more than 10,000 ailing inmates were lodged in different jails across the country whereas appropriate treatment facilities were not available to them in jails.
He contended that as per Constitution all citizens were equal and no discrimination was allowed. Therefore,directions should be issued for the release of ailing inmates,like former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on medical grounds,he pleaded.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Monday issued notices to Punjab Inspector General Prisons and others for Nov 13 on a petition, filed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira, seeking permission for meeting former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in jail. The single bench comprising Justice Shahid Waheed issued notices on the petition, filed by the PPP leader.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that Asif Ali Zardari was imprisoned at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi. He submitted that his client moved many applications for meeting the party leader in jail, but the authorities concerned did not grant him permission. As per law, the visitors could meet any prisoner, he added. He pleaded with the court for issuing directions to the authorities concerned in this regard. At this, the court issued notices to the respondents and sought reply till Nov 13.