The Lahore High Court Chief Justice here Tuesday sought reply from federal government in a petition against alleged abduction and extradition to foreign countries of seven Pakistani citizens detained at Afghanistan jail. The Chief Justice directed a deputy attorney general to ensure submission of reply by next hearing, December 10. These seven included Awwal Khan, Hamidullah Khan, Abdul Haleem Saifullah, Fazal Karim, Amal Khan, Iftikhar Ahmad and Younas Rehmatullah.
The petition was filed by Ms Sultana Noon, a fellow of "Reprieve" in Pakistan, a UK based organisation dedicated to ensuring enforcement of human rights of prisoners. Pleading case of seven Pakistani citizens, detained at "Bagram Theatre Internment Camp" in Afghanistan, petitioner alleged that they were abducted from the prison and handed over to foreign countries without any reason.
Ms Noon contended that ordinary citizens of Pakistan who, for one reason or another, were suspected of being involved in any purported wrongdoings deserved to bed benefited from the presumption of innocence and due process rather then be handed over to foreign powers for rendition torture abroad. She alleged that Pakistani authorities played their role in the abduction and extradition of these citizens to foreign countries. Petitioner, therefore, prayed that the respondent ministries be directed to make representation as required by law on behalf of abducted citizens of Pakistan held at Bagram jail and arrangements for their release and extradition to the country.