The Sindh High Court on Thursday, extending their interim stay order, further restrained Punjab government from distribution of prizes of "Crorepati" lottery till July 4, 2005. The court was hearing constitutional petition against "Crorepati" lottery, introduced by Punjab government and the Bank of Punjab in the name of Punjab Development Fund (PDF).
Sajjad Ahmed Bhatti, a resident of Larkana, who purchased 31 tickets from PDF distributor for the Rs 70 million lottery, challenging the lottery, submitted two pairs of tickets having similar and identical numbers. The court was prayed to declare the lottery illegal and restrain the respondents from conducting lottery draws. The legal status of PDF, details of accounts and their ultimate use was also sought in petition.
The SHC's division bench comprising Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Justice Amir Hani Muslim continuing interim order adjourned the matter till July 4, 2005 at the request of Advocate General Punjab Aftab Iqbal Chaudhry, who sought time to address arguments on law points arising out of this matter.