L AHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the federal government and other respondents on a petition seeking criminal proceedings against all the parliamentarians who did not disclose Toshakhana gifts in their asset statements.

Advocate Nadeem Sarwar appeared on behalf of the petitioner saying the concealment of the purchased Toshakhana articles constituted an offence under section 137 (4) read with section 167 (a) of the Election Act 2017.

He argued that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) acted in a discriminatory manner in violation of Article 25 of the Constitution by filing a complaint against former prime minister Imran Khan, who had also been sentenced to three years in jail.

He pointed out that no complaint had been filedby the ECP against other legislators who failed to disclose the Toshakhana articles they purchased under the law.

He asked the court to order the ECP to initiate proceedings against all those parliamentarians found guilty of not disclosing the gifts in their income tax returns.

Justice Raheel Kamran Sheikh issued notices to the federal government, the ECP and other respondents for submission of replies by Sept 12.

The judge observed that a substantial question as to the interpretation of the constitutional provisions was involved in the matter.

Therefore, the judge also issued a notice to the attorney generalfor Pakistan to assist the court at the next hearing.

The judge appointed Supreme Court Bar Association`s president, the vice chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council and senior lawyer Faisal Siddiqui as amicus curiae (friend of court) in the case.