LHC orders govt to notify public safety commissions within 30 days

What is being described as a judicial precedent, the Lahore High Court (LHC), in its detailed verdict, on Thursday ordered the caretaker Punjab government to notify the formation of Provincial Public Safety Commission and District Public Security Commission within 30 days, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Justice Shahid Jameel Khan released a six-page decision on the petitions filed by Muhammad Razzaq and others.

The decision read that as per the report submitted to the court, the caretaker cabinet had decided that an elected government would look into the issue. “The decision shows incompetence on the part of the caretaker government, which preferred to pass on the matter to the next government rather than doing it itself,” read the decision.

It was further stated that according to section 37 of the Police Order, 2002, it was the government’s duty to constitute Provincial Public Safety Commission and District Public Security Commission. “It is an accepted fact that the Public Safety Commission, whose purpose is to keep an eye on the discretionary powers of the police department, has not been formed ever since the Police Order came into effect,” the court said, adding it was unfortunate that both the elected and caretaker governments had failed to perform their duties in this regard, which was a violation of the law as well as the constitution.

The LHC ordered implementation on section 37 of the Police Order.  

 Reporter: Malik Ashraf