LAHORE, Feb 24 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the federal government to submit a comprehensive progress report on the establishment of Anti-Rape Crisis Cells.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Justice Aalia Neelum, and comprising Justice Farooq Haider and Justice Ali Zia Bajwa, heard the bail potions filed by Wajid Ali, involved in a rape case.
During the proceedings, Prosecutor General Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah, Additional Inspector General (Investigation) Punjab Shahzada Sultan, and other senior police officers appeared before the court. Additional Attorney General Nasir Ahmed Mirza represented the federal government, while Advocate General Punjab Muhammad Amjad Pervez appeared on behalf of the provincial government.
The chief justice sought confirmation on whether the federal government had submitted all required documents. While the additional attorney general stated that the documents had been provided, the court observed that the main issue concerned the formation and effective functioning of Anti-Rape Crisis Cells, and directed that complete details be placed on record.
The prosecutor general informed the bench that two notifications had been issued under the Anti-Rape Act for the establishment of crisis cells at Services Hospital and Victoria Hospital Bahawalpur. However, the additional attorney general stated that the relevant notifications were not currently available and sought time to submit them along with reports of committee meetings.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum remarked that the case had remained pending due to this issue.
Accepting the request for time, the court directed the federal government to submit a detailed report on the formation and progress of Anti-Rape Crisis Cells by March 3, and adjourned further hearing until that date.