LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday expressed dismay over PakistanElectronicMediaRegulatory Authority (Pemra) for not filing its reply to petitions against ban on airing unofficial results of local government polls imposed by the election commission.

Pakistan Broadcaster Association (PBA) and others filed the petitions terming the ban a curb on access to information.

As the proceedings resumed, counsel for Pemra requested the court to allow some more time to file the authority`s version on the matter. The court observed that no progress had been made in the case due to unavailability of the Pemra`s point of view. It said irresponsible behaviour of such an important institution was disturbing. The court directed the counselto come up with the reply on next hearing without default.

The court also rejected reply of the Punjab government for being unsatisfactory anddirectedthe advocate general to appear on next hearing (Dec 7).

In this case, the court had already allowed electronic media to air unofficial/unconfirmed results of local gov-ernment election after one hour of polling.

PLEA DISMISSED: A Lahore High Court division bench on Thursday dismissed an appeal against sentence filed by a man convicted in Naval War College suicide attack case.

Convict Muhammad Nadeem, through his counsel, pleaded that the trial court awarded him life imprisonment on the basis of insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.

The counsel said the prosecution presented not a single eyewitness against the appellant and nobody identified him as suspect. He prayed to the court to set aside the sentence and acquit his client.

A deputy prosecutor opposed the appeal and stated that witnesses had identified the appellant and explosive material was also recovered from his custody.

After hearing both sides, the bench headed by Justice Sadagat Ali Khan dismissed the appeal.

At least two suicide bombers had attacked the Naval War College on Upper Mall in 2008 killing four navy employees and injuring 20 others.

REPLY SOUGHT: A Lahore High Court division bench on Thursday directed the Punjab government, City District Government, LahoreDevelopment Authority, directors of archaeology and environment departments and others to submit reply to petitions against proposed demolition of properties in Kapoorthala House, Old Anarkall and Chauburji for the construction of Orange Line Train.

The bench comprising Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh and Justice Shahid Kareem resumed hearing and a law officer sought more time to file reply on behalf of the government and other departments.

The bench adjourned hearing till Dec 7 and also extended stay against demolition of the petitioners` properties.

Residents of Kapoorthala House and Chauburji had filed the petitions through Advocate Azhar Siddique and pointed out a number of violations of laws committed by the government in acquiring properties of the citizens for the construction of the project.

The petitioners mainly said provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 were in violation of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. They asked the court to stop all process of acquisition, transfer of any fund or any action for establishment of the project and restrain the respondents from taking any further steps in pursuance of acquisition of their land.