LAHORE - The Lahore High Court yesterday directed Punjab home secretary to hold inquiry into the alleged running of parallel judicial system by Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) in different cities of the country.

Justice Shahid Bilal of the LHC passed the order and disposed of the petition.

Khalid Saeed, a resident of Samanabad, had filed petition alleging that JuD was running ‘Sharia courts’. He alleged that he received summons issued by the ‘Sharia Court’ of JuD on its pad ‘Darul Qaza Al Sharia’ Jamaatud Dawa, Masjid Al-Qadsia, Chauburji, Lahore. He said the court had summoned him to explain his position on the complaint filed by one Muhammad Azam.

The petitioner told the court that ‘Sharia Court’ of JuD also warned him of proceedings against him under Sharia law if he refused or disobeyed the court’s orders and his excuse would also not be considered. He further stated that he also received a threatening call from the ‘Sharia Court’ judge who had summoned him there.

The petitioner said he approached all fora but nobody heard his grievances as his life was under threat. He requested the Lahore High Court to order the authorities concerned to hold inquiry and take action against the organisation that established these ‘Sharia courts’.

In previous hearing, a law officer on behalf of the Punjab government submitted his reply and said that the petition against a private entity was not maintainable. However, the official was directed to come up with arguments on the maintainability. Later, the court heard the arguments and announced its verdict and disposed of the petition with directions to the Punjab Home Department to look into the matter.