Latest news with #LahoreHighCourt
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Water project contract dispute lands in court
The Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi Bench has taken notice of a petition filed by a Turkish firm against the cancellation of two contracts worth Rs20.4 billion under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (Dreams-I) for water supply improvement at Chahan Dam. Justice Jawad Hassan has granted both the petitioner and the Dream-I project director a two-week period to resolve the matter amicably, highlighting its significance as a case involving foreign investment and international relations. The petition was filed by Turkish company MS 5H Insaat, one of the original winners of the Lot 2 and Lot 3 contracts alongside Pakistani firm Qasim & Co. Although both firms had secured the bid, the contract was ultimately awarded solely to MS 5H Insaat, citing performance guarantees and other reasons. Upon learning of the situation, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered a fact-finding investigation by the Chief Minister's Inspection Team (CMIT), which identified serious flaws in the procurement process. It noted that the project, despite being foreign-funded, had not undergone quarterly reviews by its Steering Committee as required. Following the findings, the project's Steering Committee, chaired by Punjab Planning & Development Chairman Barrister Nabeel Awan, decided to cancel the contract and reinitiate the tendering process. The committee also recommended disciplinary action against the officials responsible for the contract award and mandated quarterly reviews for all future foreign-funded projects to ensure transparency.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Blocking of passports: officials pass buck to interior ministry
Passports of thousands of people across Punjab have been blocked for the last 2 years due to their suspected participation in May 9, 2023 rioting incidents — leading to cancellation of their international trips including pilgrimage to Makkah. Interestingly, geo fencing was used to identify the alleged rioters active in a particular area on May 9 and May 10 of 2023. As a result, dozens of people — including employees of government and private organizations, whose workplaces were located in those localities and who used phones during rioting — faced blacklisting of passports. A number of these people came to know that their passports have been blocked only when they arrived at the airport to fly to foreign destinations or went to the passport office for renewal of their documents. Dozens of such people have now approached the Lahore High Court (LHC). While hearing these petitions, the LHC has summoned passport officials along with records. In many of these cases, passport authorities have already submitted records to the court showing that the passports have been blacklisted. The Passport and Immigration Department told the LHC that the task of blacklisting passports does not fall under their jurisdiction and that the Ministry of Interior includes and removes names from the blacklist and the Exit Control List (ECL). They claimed that the names of the petitioners were added to the blacklist due to their alleged involvement in May 9 incidents. Those individuals whose names are on the blacklist or whose passports have expired cannot renew their document until their names are removed from the blacklist. Violent protests broke out across the country after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. During the turmoil, attacks were carried out on 39 military installations across the country between 3pm and 7pm of May 9. Most of these attacks — 23 — occurred in Punjab, followed by 8 in K-P, 7 in Sindh and one in Balochistan. Major military facilities attacked included the GHQ in Rawalpindi, the Corps Commander's House in Lahore, the Mianwali Air Force Base, and ISI offices in Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Rawalpindi.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
There can be no criminal proceedings against taxpayer for recovery of arrears: LHC
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has held that no criminal proceedings can be initiated against a tax payer for recovery of tax arrears until the final determination of liability against him by a competent authority. The court also observed that in the absence of assessment of tax or determination of tax involved, the special judge could not pass the sentence of fine which is the amount of tax involved and part of the penalty provided under the law. The court said the mechanism for recovery of arrears of tax provided in Section 48 of the Sale Tax Act would come into play only once the tax was finally assessed and penalties imposed continued to be unpaid. The court passed this order in a petition of a tobacco company and others who approached against the revenue officials for registration of criminal reports against the petitioner for their involvement in tax evasion. The court said no one is denying the competence of the complainant of carrying out criminal investigation in cases involving tax fraud, however, the dispute is the modus operandi in launching such investigation. The court said a taxpayer can prefer a departmental appeal against the decision of revenue official and then knock the door of appellate tribunal of Inland Revenue by way of filing appeal and that of the high court in the shape of tax reference. The court said civil and criminal proceedings can run side by side but it is a principle of law that where the criminal liability is dependent upon or connected with the result of civil adjudication, criminal proceedings can be stopped till the outcome of civil matter for safer administration of justice. The court, however, said the provisions of the Act gave a privilege to the tax payer to compound the offence subject to payment of amount of tax due against him. The court said if the amount of tax due against a tax payer was not assessed prior to launching of criminal proceedings, then it would amount to shut the window of compound ability for a tax payer, as without determination of amount of tax due, the commissioner would not be able to compound the offence. The court said the petitioners have been regularly filing sales tax returns and prior to launching of impugned complaint neither any audit report, show-cause notice nor any assessment order was in the field against them. The court, therefore, quashed the impugned complaint registered being unconstitutional, ultra vires of the Act and against the fundamental right of the petitioner. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
LHC directs humane euthanasia of stray dogs
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed authorities across Punjab to euthanise only incurably ill or mortally wounded stray dogsand to do so strictly in accordance with medically approved and humane protocols. Justice Shahid Karim issued the order while hearing petitions filed by Eiraj Hassan and others, seeking proper enforcement of the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Policy 2021 and protection of stray dogs against inhumane culling practices. The court emphasised that the policy must be implemented "in letter and spirit" by all concerned departments, including the Local Government and Community Development (LG&CD) Department and its affiliated officers throughout Punjab. The 2021 policy explicitly outlines that only dogs diagnosed as incurably ill or mortally wounded by a qualified veterinarian appointed by a Tehsil Implementation Committee (TIC) can be euthanised. It further mandates that euthanasia must be carried out humanely - by administering sodium pentothal for adult dogs or Thiopental Intraperitoneal for puppies. Crucially, the policy prohibits euthanising a dog in the presence of another dog. The policy also prescribes guidelines for the care and management of healthy stray dogs. Sterilised dogs must be vaccinated before being released, and marked for identification through ear clipping, tattoos, nylon collars, or tokens. The branding of dogs is expressly forbidden. Detailed records of all sterilised and vaccinated dogs must be maintained. Petitioners' counsel, Altamush Saeed, urged the court to recognise that dogs are sentient beings capable of emotions and therefore must not be subjected to cruelty or brutal killings. He argued that the most effective approach to controlling the stray dog population and eradicating rabies lies in mass vaccination and sterilization through established TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) protocols, supervised by qualified veterinarians. Saeed further highlighted that even rabid dogs should not be indiscriminately culled and stressed the need for sterilizing and relocating healthy dogs rather than killing them. He also called for public awareness campaigns, staff training in animal welfare, and the introduction of animal welfare education in schools in line with Articles 9, 9A, and 25A of the Constitution, which relate to the right to life, security, and education. The court was informed that various government departments had already issued directives to implement the policy and compliance had begun across multiple local government offices. Justice Karim acknowledged the progress made, noting that the LG&CD appeared fully aware of its legal obligations and was taking steps accordingly. "Since the respondents are complying with the policy, as is also evident from the replies filed in this case, the petition is disposed of with the direction that the Animal Birth Control (Dogs) Policy 2021 shall continue to be implemented and followed by all concerned departments," Justice Karim stated in his concluding remarks. The court's order marks a significant shift in the state's approach to stray dog managementfocusing on humane treatment, scientific methods, and legal responsibility rather than reactive culling, often carried out under public pressure or panic. Animal rights advocates have welcomed the judgment, calling it a progressive step toward ethical and effective animal population control and public health safety.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Punjab government bans stray dog killings, enforces animal birth control policy
Listen to article In a landmark decision, the Lahore High Court has declared the killing of stray dogs through shooting, poisoning, or other inhumane methods as illegal and unconstitutional across Punjab. The judgment, delivered on May 22, 2025, in the case Eiraj Hassan & Others vs Government of Punjab, prompted the provincial government to formally implement the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Policy 2021. The policy lays out a comprehensive framework to humanely manage the stray dog population through vaccination, sterilization, tagging, registration, and rehabilitation. Advocates Eiraj Hassan and Altamush Saeed filed the petition, arguing that the widespread culling of stray dogs was a violation of animal welfare principles and basic human compassion. The court, in its ruling, emphasized that killing stray animals is in stark contradiction to constitutional rights, ethical standards, and international norms. Notably, incidents of inhumane dog killings were frequently reported from upscale housing societies and certain municipal jurisdictions, where even government personnel were found complicit. Despite the ruling, concerns remain over the lack of institutional response mechanisms. There is currently no centralized helpline to report stray dog concerns, and the Police Animal Rescue Centre remains largely inactive. The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) also faces serious challenges due to limited staff and resources. Advocate Altamush Saeed hailed the court's decision as a major success for animal rights in Pakistan. He pointed out that the Animal Rescue Centre was summoned to court but failed to appear. Nevertheless, departments including Livestock & Dairy Development and Local Government assured the court of full implementation of the ABC Policy. Under the new policy, stray dogs will be captured safely and non-violently and taken to animal shelters. Here, they will undergo vaccination and sterilization. Once deemed healthy, they will be tagged and released back into the same locality. Dogs that are terminally ill or severely injured will be euthanized humanely under veterinary supervision using sodium pentothal, a painless euthanasia drug. The policy also envisions the establishment of shelter homes in every tehsil, to be operated in collaboration with private welfare organizations or under government oversight. Monitoring committees at the district, tehsil, and provincial levels will ensure strict implementation. Experts note that while the court's ruling effectively bans cruel culling, on-ground enforcement of sterilization and the construction of shelters remain slow. Dr. Haider Ali Khan, spokesperson for the Livestock and Dairy Development Department, explained that municipal staff will be tasked with capturing dogs and transporting them to veterinary centers for sterilization, after which the animals will be returned to their localities. Veterinary hospitals across Punjab have been notified and prepared to participate. Although the policy offers a progressive and humane framework, its success hinges on inter-agency coordination, sustained community involvement, and adequate budgetary support. The government has committed to allocating dedicated funds for ABC implementation in the upcoming fiscal year. As Punjab shifts toward a more humane and scientific approach to managing stray dogs, civil society and local governments must now play a vital role in ensuring the policy is more than just ink on paper.
