Pak Chief Justice orders court hearing in flogging case

Taking note of the shocking public flogging of a 17-year old girl by the Taliban in Pakistan's restive Swat valley, Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudhry has ordered a court hearing into the case. Pakistan's top judge took suo motu notice of the incident that sent shock waves across the country with rights groups slamming the government for its recent peace deal with militants in the region.

The federal Interior Secretary and North West Frontier Province's police chief have been summoned to the court on Monday in connection with the case, court officials said. The interior secretary was also asked to produce the girl she was publically whipped by the Taliban for allegedly having an affair. The incident came to light after a video footage, apparently shot with a mobile phone camera, was aired by the Pakistani TV channels. The private Geo TV reported that the incident took place in Kabal area of the valley six months ago.

Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the girl was punished for coming out of her home with a man who was not her husband. "There are boundaries you cannot cross," he told Guardian. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident, saying the incident had made the people "hang" their heads in shame. He also sought a report from the government and called for "apprehending those involved in the heinous crime".