LHC seeks Chohan, IG's reply in contempt of court on lifting ban on Basant
Chohan, IG, chief secretary to respond to contempt of court in lifting the ban on Basant
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday sought replies from Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Fayyaz-ul-Hassan Chohan, chief secretary and Inspector General of Police Amjad Javed Saleemi during a contempt of court hearing on a petition which has challenged the decision of the provincial government to lift the 12-year-old ban on Basant festival.
Reportedly, the petitioner has contended that it was “unconstitutional” to allow Basant following the Supreme Court of Pakistan’s ruling against it and the ‘deadly’ festival has claimed loss of many lives.
Furthermore, the petition stated that the chief secretary and IGP have not taken sufficient and essential measures to halt the deadly game, and ‘it is the contempt of court’ to not follow the court’s orders.
Contrarily, the lawyer representing the provincial government told the court that the final decision on celebration of Basant was not taken yet, however only an opinion in this regard was sought.
Earlier, Punjab Information and Culture Minister Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan announced the government’s decision to lift the Basant ban and that it will be held in the second of February next year.
