LAHORE, June 21: Jamatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) for the implementation of a resolution unanimously passed by the Parliament against United States drone attacks on Pakistani soil.

Saeed filed a constitutional petition through Advocate A.K. Dogar, praying that the federal government be directed to make public information in all matters of public importance, especially “secret deals” made with the US government, as Article 19-A of the Constitution entitled every citizen of Pakistan to have access to all information.

The petitioner asked the court to declare that the pre-emptive strikes by foreign countries were not permitted under the international law, therefore, every man, woman and child had a right to claim protection against such attacks and a direction in the nature of mandamus be issued to the government.

He said the resolution passed by a joint session of National Assembly and Senate on May 14, 2011 was a voice of the people and needed to be implemented because to live in dignity like a respectable, independent and sovereign nation was petitioner and every citizen's right and they could not be forced to live like slaves. The people having spoken through their parliament could invoke the provisions of Article 14 of the Constitution and seek a declaration that to act against the voice of the people amounted to violation of their fundamental rights, he added.

He sought a declaration that the federal government had acted against the general will, collective wisdom and obligation to exercise its powers and authority through chosen representatives of the people.

He pleaded that the president, prime minister and all state functionaries be made to follow simple life of the Holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) and consequently vacate Presidency, PM House and all other luxurious places and live only in five-marla houses like other common Muslims to get rid of foreign debts.

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