LAHORE, April 10 (Online): A two member’s bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought complete record of Tkosha khana from government for the period 1947 to 2001.
A two members bench of LHC comprising Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan and Justice Muhammad Raza Qureshi has summoned the record while hearing the appeal plea of federal government against single bench decision for making public the details of Tosha Khana from 1990 to 2001 and the countries which have given gifts.
The court while issuing notice to the respondents for April 17 has sought reply.
Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan has said we will decide after hearing the respondents fully.
The federal government appeal plea came up for hearing before two member’s bench of LHC Monday.
Moving to counsel for federal government Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan remarked you have not made ministry of parliament and ministry of interior respondents.
Mirza Nasar counsel for federal government said he will add these respondents in the memo. Single bench has said to make public the record of the countries which have given gifts. Government has made public record of Toshakhana. If we tell about the sources then it is feared foreign relations may be affected.
Justice Raza Muhammad Qureshi remarked does it not seem from the appeal of federal government that what they have they have come to give it too; Now the matter has to go beyond it.
Counsel for federal government said government has placed all on website. It has sought relief to the extent of sources of gifts.
Justice Raza Muhammad Qureshi remarked were the recipients of gifts declaring them or not.
Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan remarked if someone gives gifts to us we are too bound to declare the gifts.
Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan remarked where record of the period prior to 1990 is.
Counsel for federal government said the record for the period prior to 1990 is not with us.
Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan remarked record should be held by you as you are government.
Counsel for federal government said people from a specific region give costly gifts. When costly gifts are received then people start talking about them.
Justice Raza Muhammad Qureshi questioned why the people of specific region give special gifts to specific persons.
Counsel for the federal government said we are saying so only due to foreign policy that these sources be not made public.
Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan remarked we will decide after hearing the respondents fully.
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