LHC directs Hafiz Saeed to present Pak-US 'secret deal'
16 October, 2012
LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Monday directed Jamatud Dawa (JD) chief Hafiz Saeed to submit until November 1 copies of the contracts if any pertaining to the drone attacks between Pakistan and the US. The CJ was hearing a petition filed by Saeed, seeking directions for the federal government to ensure end of drone attacks. He held that the government was making no efforts against the drone attacks, which have been continuously killing civilians. The petition, which was pending before the LHC since 2011, was taken after Saeed wrote an application for early hearing. Saeed's counsel AK Dogar said that it was a sensitive matter and the court had to overview international law in this regard. He submitted that the federal government should be directed to release information in all matters of public importance, especially the secret deal with the US in implementation of article 19-A of the constitution which entitles every citizen of Pakistan to have access of all information. He said the resolution passed by a joint session of National Assembly on May 14, 2011 was voice of the people and needed to be implemented. The counsel said that the petitioner and every citizen of the country could not be forced to live like slaves and people having spoken through parliament could invoke the provisions of Article 14 of the constitution and seek a declaration that to act against the voice of the people amounted to violation of their fundamental rights. He submitted that it was fundamental right of every citizen that his physical life and limb be secured and saved from death and injury and a state, which could not save its citizens, was a failed state. He sought directions to declare that the pre-emptive strikes by foreign countries were not permitted by international laws, therefore, every man, woman and child have a right to claim to be protected. He also sought a declaration that federal government has acted against the general will, collective wisdom and obligation to exercise its powers and authority through its chosen representatives of the people. End.
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