The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered the appointment of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab within 30 days in accordance with the law. The court also ordered for the activation of provincial and district Public Safety Commissions in 30 days.
Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah passed the orders while hearing a petition, filed by Abdul Razzaq who was seeking an order from the court for the implementation of the Police Order 2002. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel Saad Rasool argued that the appointment of Acting IGP Usman Khattak was not made in accordance with Section 11 of the Police Order 2002. The appointment of acting IGP has been made without recommendations of the National Public Safety Commission, he added.
He further said that no provincial and district public safety commissions had been formed as per Section 36 and 73 of the Police Order 2002 for appointment and removal of senior police officers. He pleaded with the court to set aside the appointment of the acting IGP.
However, a provincial law officer told the court that the Police Order 2002 had been amended and the Punjab governor had issued the amended ordinance in this regard. He said that under the ordinance, no recommendations of the Public Safety Commission were required for the appointment of the IGP. The court was requested to give time for the appointment of the IGP.
AIG Legal Kamran Adil further stated that under the Police Order 2002, operation and investigation wings had been separated in the police department.
At this, the court ordered the appointment of a permanent IGP in accordance with the ordinance, and adjourned hearing till June 15.
