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Pak court rejects asylum petition
Pakistani court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking asylum in the name of ‘holy war’ for five American Muslim youths recently arrested in the country for allegedly planning terror attacks.
Pakistani court on Thursday dismissed a petition seeking asylum in the name of ‘holy war’ for five American Muslim youths recently arrested in the country for allegedly planning terror attacks, saying that it was not the duty of the judiciary to define jihad.
The Lahore High Court dismissed the petition filed by Khalid Khwaja, a former Inter-Services Intelligence official now associated with a rights organisation.
In his petition, Khwaja had contended that the youths came to Pakistan for jihad (holy war) and since this was not a crime, their detention is illegal.
Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khwaja Mohammad Sharif, who heard the petition, observed that it was not the duty of the court to define jihad. The judge did not comment further and dismissed the petition.
26/11 trial adjourned.
A Pakistani anti-terror court on Thursday adjourned till January 6 next year the proceedings against seven suspects, including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, charged with involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks even as a notice was issued to one of the defence lawyers.Anti-terror court Judge Malik Muhammad Akram Awan, who was not present in court due to some personal engagement, is yet to rule on four applications filed by the accused challenging their indictment and seeking their acquittal.
