The Punjab government has decided to deal with habitual offenders by installing global positioning system-based trackers in their bodies, Pakistan Today has learnt.
In this respect, a draft designed to amend “the Restriction of Habitual Offenders Act, 1981” has been sent to the Home Department for further perusal and processing by the inspector general of police (IGP) office.
The Punjab government had, last year, set afoot plans for introducing this system to monitor activities of suspects affiliated with banned outfits in the province under Section 11-EEE of the Anti Terrorism Act, 1997. Moving forward, the government had procured 5,000 microchips for the purpose.
Sources privy to the development said that among his suggestions, the IGP called for a proper legal framework so that habitual offenders can be brought under radar in future. “Police have solid evidence about certain criminals’ involvement in crimes after they were released from jails,” added the sources.
The IGP further suggested the section 3-A is added in the Punjab Habitual Offenders Act, 1981 so that the police can deal with such criminals in a proper way.
“Offenders moving towards jewellery shops, banks, petrol pumps and business centres will be easily monitored after installation of microchips in them,” the sources said.
After the proposals of the IGP are perused by the Home Department, the same will be sent to Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif for final approval.
Pakistan Today tried to reach DIG Investigations Dr Haider Ashraf for comments, but he didn’t respond to calls, nor did he reply to text messages he was sent.
Human Rights activists had opposed this move last year, terming it a violation of basic human rights.