The Lahore High Court here on Tuesday directed Advocate General Punjab to assist the court on November 21 in response to a petition challenging ambit of provincial ombudsman. Earlier, Umar Sharif submitting his submission as amicus curie of the court argued that the provincial ombudsman could interfere in any matter that was pending before any court of law. While, affairs of pension and services of government employees didn't fall in its jurisdiction, he added.
The court after hearing the amicus curie at length adjourned the hearing till next date of hearing. Petitioner Zarqa Khan through her counsel contended that the Punjab Ombudsman had summoned an investigation officer and issued him directions in a case registered against her husband.
The counsel contended that according to the rules and regulations the provincial ombudsman could not pass any directions to the police and could not interfere in the police investigation. He, therefore, prayed to the court to declare the orders passed by the ombudsman as illegal and barred him from interfering in the police investigation. The court suspending the order of the ombudsman had already stayed the proceedings before him.