PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) barred inclusion of former lawmakers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf to fourth schedule.

Justice Waqar Ahmed, presiding over case considered petitions opposing inclusion of PTI’s former assembly members in fourth schedule.

Dismissing petitions, Justice Ahmed also sought response for next hearing. Additionally, court issued an order restraining provincial government from initiating any action against applicants. During proceedings, Syed Sikandar Hayat Shah, lawyer representing petitioner, presented arguments and evidence supporting contention that recommendation to include former assembly members in fourth schedule had been formally made.

He stated that petitioner himself is former assembly member and victim of terrorism.  Attorney General Daniyal Chaudhry apprised court that district anti-terrorism coordination committee had recommended inclusion of these names in schedule, yet actual inclusion had not taken place. Subsequently, court, while preventing provincial government from taking any action against petitioners, ordered provincial government to submit response by January 23.

List of individuals recommended for inclusion in fourth schedule includes former Speaker Asad Qaiser along with former members Amjad Ali, Gul Zafar, Iftikhar Mashwani, Mian Sharifat Ali, Abdul Salam, Zaher Shah, Fazal Hakim, and others.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 06 2024

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