LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Monday observed that the situation will deteriorate further if courts start taking action on the news published in newspapers.

He made these remarks during the hearing of several writ petitions against holding of dual office by President Zardari when the petitionersí counsel AK Dogar questioned the reputation of Zardari, referring to different newspapers items.

At this, Dogar said the Supreme Court had also given references of different news item in its July 31 judgment. The court, however, adjourned hearing till February 21. The LHC bench, hearing the case, is headed by CJ Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry and comprised of Justice Iftikhar Hussain Chaudhry, Justice Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

The petitions, filed by the Pakistan Lawyers Forum, Engineer Ghulam Jillani and Asif Mehmood Khan advocate, questioned dual office of Asif Ali Zardari, one constitutional office of president of Pakistan and political one as co-chairperson of the PPP. The petitioners contended that the president, being head of the state, was constitutionally required to maintain an impartial posture.
Source: The News
Date:2/15/2011