LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial sought on Friday more arguments on the maintainability of a petition seeking permission for the Taliban to open their political office in Pakistan for dialogues with the government.

The chief justice asked petitioner advocate Kashif Sulemani to cite any law under which the court could intervene in the policy matters of the government.

The chief justice observed that holding dialogue with the Taliban or anybody was a policy matter and the court could not dictate the government.

Mr Sulemani asked the chief justice to take suo motu on the violation of fundamental rights of the citizens from terrorism and drone attacks. Justice Bandial remarked that Supreme Court had the jurisdiction to take the suo motu. The chief justice adjourned hearing till May 9.
br>The petitioner contended that courts were constitutionally bound to protect the fundamental rights of citizens. He said the rights were being violated by government`s `policy` of letting foreign powers kill its citizens with drones. He said Taliban`s office in Pakistan would help the government hold dialogue with the Taliban. He said that according to a charter of the United Nations, no sanctions could be imposed on Pakistan for holding dialogue with Taliban.