LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday gave the last opportunity to the Foreign Affairs Ministry to submit its reply on a petition challenging US act of announcing bounty on Jamatud Dawa chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and his deputy, Hafiz Abdur Rehman Makki.

As the court resumed hearing, a deputy attorney general stated the ministry had sought details of the matterfrom the US State Department and their response was awaited.

He said the ministry would be able to submit a reply after getting the required details from the US. The law officer sought more time to come up with the ministry`s reply.

Justice Masood Abid Naqvi adjourned hearing till Feb 26, 2015, directing the law officer to ensure submission of the reply on the next date.

Previously the ministry had told the court that US announcement of bounty onthe petitioners (Hafiz Saeed and Makki) was not binding for Pakistan.

The petition was pending adjudication since 2012 when US Under-Secretary of State Wendy Sherman stated during his visit to New Delhi that the both JuD leaders carried $10 million and $3 million head money, respectively.

The petitioners, through their counsel, submitted the JuD was a charitable organisation and had no nexus with any banned outfit. The counsel argued that the US acted on the instigation of Indiaand announcing head money during India visit spoke for itself.

He said Pakistani superior courts had already exonerated Hafiz Saeed from all charges leveled against him by India and the US.

He said the announcement of bounty was liable to be withdrawn and the petitioners needed to be protected being citizens of Pakistan.

He also asked the court to direct the government to protect the petitioners and make arrangements for their security.