LAHORE, Feb 9: A full bench of the Lahore High Court on Friday gave another three days to the Punjab government to bring the postings and appointments of all police officials at least in the city in line with the law.

The court observed that as to why an order should not be issued to stop all policemen posted against the Police Order 2002 from working.

Comprising Justice Muzammal Khan, Justice M Bilal Khan and Justice Syed Shabbar Raza Rizvi, the bench issued the directions after Chief Secretary Salman Saddique sought some more time to make the postings in accordance with the Police Order 2002. The chief secretary had on Jan 26 — the last date of hearing — conceded that some of the postings had not been in line with the law, and had given an undertaking that the government would make the appointments lawful by Feb 4.

The chief secretary stated on Friday that he had almost completed the spadework which proved an onerous and time-consuming exercise.

“The chief secretary states that the requisite changes will be made from the level of the capital city police officer down to SPs by Feb 12 at least in the capital city of Lahore. Insofar as the rest of the police force is concerned, he seeks another week’s time,” according to the court order.

The court had taken notice of the police postings and appointments against the Police Order 2002 during proceedings of a petition regarding the murder of additional advocate-general Arif Bhinder.

Expressing concern over law and order situation, the bench during its first hearing on Jan 19 observed that as to why the Rs21 billion budget for the Punjab police should not be freezed owing to its inability to improve working.

The chief secretary had also submitted (during Jan 26 meeting) an incomplete list of 19 police officers who had served for more than three years in Lahore against the law. Punjab IGP Ahmad Naseem also submitted a detailed report on law and order, especially the street crime situation in the city.

The court had then served contempt notice on Lahore police chief Anwar Virk and investigation police chief Azam Joya for holding a press conference on the matter which the court had already taken up.

The court order said the two officers had filed their replies to the show-cause notice and this matter would be taken up on the next date of hearing. The IGP will appear on the next date of hearing on Feb 13 and report about steps taken so far to curb the street crime.

Meanwhile, Lahore investigation police chief (DIG) Azam Joya also submitted a report detailing therein progress made in the investigation of the Bhinder case.

“We feel that the investigation is proceeding on sound lines and expect that all those involved in the offence will be brought to justice as early as possible,” the court order said.