PESHAWAR, Oct 7: A Peshawar High Court bench on Thursday directed the provincial police officer (PPO) to issue a notification for promoting 12 inspectors to the rank of deputy superintendent of police.

The bench comprising Justice Malik Hamid Saeed and Justice Qazi Ahsanullah Qureshi took exception to the non-appearance of the PPO before the court and observed that everyone was equal before the law.

It ordered that the notification be issued and produced before the court on Oct 12. The bench was hearing a contempt of court petition filed by Mohammad Ashraf and 11 other acting DSPs. The petitioners stated that the respondents, including the PPO and the provincial government, had violated an order of the high court on a writ petition.

They said the petition was filed by 20 acting DSPs who apprehended that the vacant posts of deputy superintendents of police would be filled through fresh appointments. They had stated that under Section 165 of the Police Order, 2002, the posts of DSPs could be filled through promotion and not recruitment. They claimed that they deserved to be promoted in view of their seniority.

The provincial government had assured the court that the promotions would be made on merit. In the light of the assurance, the court disposed of the petition on Feb 24. Of the petitioners, eight acting DSPs were promoted but 12 were left out, who filed the contempt of court petition.

Advocate Usman Khan Tarlandi appeared for the petitioners and contended that the respondents had not fulfilled the assurance given to the court. The court inquired from Additional Advocate-General Pir Liaqat about the absence of the PPO.

Mr Liaqat said the provincial police chief was busy in a meeting on access to justice. The bench directed him to ask the PPO to appear after the tea break. As he could not turn up, the court issued orders for issuance of the notification.