LHC rejects plea against legality of 'news leak' probe commission

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday rejected a petition against formation of commission regarding leaking of news story on national security , ARY News reported.

LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah conducted proceedings of the case. Pakistan Awami Tehreek leader Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, who is also petitioner in the case, submitted before the court the commission headed by Justice Amir Raza formed by the government for probing news leaks is questionable.

The committee formed to probe the news story leak regarding national security was challenged in the LHC on Nov 8.

The commission will have one representative from each of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Military Intelligence.

The petitioner claimed that Justice Raza had close ties with Sharif family, hence transparent inquiry into the matter was unlikely.

He contended that commission was formed without fulfilling legal formalities. He said a reference for Commission and Inquiry Act 1956 was not mentioned during constitution of the probe commission. “This act exposed the government’s malafide intention,” he claimed.

Gandapur, through his counsel, urged the court to declare the commission void and order formation of the new investigation body.

While, deputy attorney general informed the LHC bench that all legal aspects were followed for the formation of the commission.

After arguments from both the sides, the court rejected the plea of Mr. Gandapur.