PHC dismisses plea against Hasba push

Staff Report

PESHAWAR: A division bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday dismissed a petition of lawyer Sher Afgan asking the court to stop the provincial government from presenting the proposed Hasba Act in the Frontier Assembly.

The bench consisting of Chief Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice Dost Muhammad Khan dismissed the petition by declaring it premature. The chief justice observed that it was premature to hear the petition because the assembly had not passed the proposed act into law. He also observed that the act was under consultation with different sections of the society.

Mr Afgan contended that the proposed Hasba Act was a violation of the basic human rights enshrined in the Constitution and the Frontier government was determined to pass it from the assembly despite public opposition. He said the mohtasib in the proposed act would be given vast powers and a special Hasba Force at his disposal, which would create a parallel judiciary.

The petitioner stated that 25 laws already covered the offences mentioned in Section-23 of the proposed Hasba Act and there was no need for fresh legislation for them.

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