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| India-Pakistan |
| SC says it can't halt Lal Masjid operation |
| 2007-07-11 |
| The Supreme Court (SC) said on Tuesday that it was unable to halt the operation against Lal Masjid, saying that the court had limited powers in matters when the armed forces were called out in aid of the civil administration. “We are not intervening in the ongoing operation, but want safe rescue of those who have been made hostages inside the mosque and madrassa,” said Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi. The apex court had taken suo motu notice of the Lal Masjid issue. Advocate Dr Tariq Asad submitted that had the court ordered the suspension of the operation on Monday, many deaths of innocent people and soldoers could have been averted. He again sought a stay order against the operation. Justice Faqeer Muhammad Khokhar, the other member of the bench, said that once the armed forces came in aid of civil authorities under Article 245 of the Constitution, the courts were left with limited powers. “Even a high court cannot entertain any challenge against a military operation under Article 199 of the Constitution,” he said. National Crisis Management Cell (NCMC) Director of Operations Lt-Col Imran told the bench that he was not aware of the exact number of casualties and injured or number of those still holed up inside the mosque. He said all the women and children who had come out of the mosque had been released. The men would be released after they are screened, he said. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Sounds like Mushie's put together a reasonable Supreme Court. "The men would be released after they are |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2007-07-11 08:03 |