Dr Aafia’s case: Contempt notices to ministries

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) issued contempt of court notices on Wednesday to ministries of interior and foreign affairs for releasing $2 million to three American lawyers for defending Pakistani neurological scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui in the US courts, against LHC’s order.

The contempt petition was filed by Barrister Iqbal Jafree submitting that the court had restrained the federal government from releasing the money to American lawyers for pleading the case of Dr Siddiqui in American courts on Aug 12. The federal government, however, released the money in violation of court orders.

He prayed to the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the ministries of interior and foreign affairs.

The court issued notices to respondents for Aug 24 and directed a deputy attorney general to manage replies from the respondents.

The counsel challenged the allocation of $2 million by the government for pleading the case of Dr Siddiqui through three lawyers in America and feared that the hard earned money of the nation would go to the pockets of some people.

He submitted that the government laid aside such hefty amount for pursuing the case in US court despite the fact that it could move the Internal Court of Justice by simply writing a letter.
Source: Dawn
Date:8/20/2009