Govt seeks time in case against drone attacks

The case has been filed in the Lahore High Court by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Amir Jamat ud Dawa Pakistan.At the inception of hearing Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Zia ul Qamar Bhatti filed a letter in the court which was written by the federal government. It was said in the letter “we are working out parawise replies as per court’s orders which have not been completed therefore, some more time be allowed”.A.K. Dogar, counsel for Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, said drone attacks on soil of Pakistan is a matter of protection of rights of citizens and lives of people. However, the government is not showing sincerity in this issue, he stated.On October 4, a statement by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was published that the US had assured not to conduct drone attacks, he said.But the next day a news item appeared in Washington Post that matters had been settled between the US and President Asif Ali Zardari that they will continue to raise hue and cry over drone attacks to pacify people and the US will continue to carry out drone attacks.He submitted rulers were using delaying tactics deliberately and drone attacks were continuing like earlier despite government claims and no letup had been witnessed in these attacks. What government was talking about stopping of US drone attacks was not correct, he said.Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed inquired from DAG: “Tell the court why it is happening. You are also a Pakistani citizen. This matter is very sensitive and it should be taken seriously”.The DAG said he could say nothing about this issue. “I will file in the court whatever reply is received from the federal government,” he added.It may be recalled the court had expressed dissatisfaction and concern over the reply from the foreign ministry on previous hearing and had directed that written reply be submitted again with reference to drone attacks.