LHC suspends orders for registration of case against Babar Azam.

LAHORE -- The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday suspended orders of a Sessions Court for registration of a criminal case against skipper of national cricket team Babar Azam for allegedly raping, harassing and blackmailing a woman. The court also issued notices to SHO Naseerabad police station and Hamiza Mukhtar for February 8 and sought reply.

Justice Asjad Javaid Ghural passed the orders on a petition, filed by Babar Azam challenging orders for registration of the case against him. A counsel for Babar Azam informed the court that the Sessions Court had ordered SHO Naseerabad on January 14 to record the statement of Hamiza Mukhtar under Section 154 of CrPC and proceed as per law, while disposing of her application for registration of a case against the petitioner.

He submitted that the judge ignored the case facts and did not apply his judicial mind while deciding the matter. He submitted that Hamiza Mukhtar had filed a false application with the intention of blackmailing his client. He submitted that the matter had been resolved after the parties reached a compromise in 2018.

LHC issues notice to govt on plea against re-opening of schools

LHC on Friday issued notices to federation and Punjab government for January 19 on a petition challenging re-opening of schools from January 18 without observing SOPs to deal with COVID-19.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the petition filed by Faisal G Meeran in the public interest.

A counsel on behalf of the petitioner pleaded with the court to declare re-opening of the...