LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday allowed time to the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to file its reply to a petition of Inspector General of Punjab Police Mushtaq Sukhera challenging summons issued by an anti-terrorism court on a private complaint of the party.

A three-member fullbenchheaded by Justice Muhammad Yawar Ali already suspended the impugned summons issuing notices to PAT and others.

During Friday`s hearing, a lawyer appeared on behalf of PAT leader Jawad Hamid and sought time to file a written reply of the party. Advocate Hamid had filed the private complaint before the anti-terrorism court. The bench allowed the request and adjourned hearing till March 29.

IGP Sukhera had pleaded through his counsel that the summons were issued on the basis of false information provided to the trial court. The IGP stated that he had taken the charge of his office when the Model Town incident occurred. The officer said he had nothing to do with the incident while the PAT filed the private complaint before the ATC with a delay of 21 months. He asked the court to set aside the summons.

The ATC had rejected the complaint of PAT to the extent of prime minister, federal ministers and chief minister while summoned 127 suspects including IGP, DIG Operations and former DCO Lahore. The PAT sought trial of the officials for killing of its workers in Model Town incident.