RAWALPINDI: The Punjab government on Monday asked the local police and administration to start implementation of the new ordinances on loudspeakers, temporary residents and security of public places.

Police have been asked to submit weekly updates on the cases registered under these laws.

A video conference took place in which Punjab Chief Secretary Khizar Hayat Gondal in Lahore, accompanied by Punjab I.G. Mushtaq Sukhera, and senior law officials spoke to Commissioner Zahid Saeed, Regional Police Officer Akhter Umer Hayat Laleka and other Rawalpindi division officials.

The meeting was told that local station house officers should register cases under the new laws after vetting by public prosecutors.

“The prosecutors will carefully read the First Information Reports (FIRs) and then police will apply sections under the new law,” Commissioner Zahid Saeed told Dawn.

He said that the government had directed that information regarding the new law should be disseminated to SHOs across the division, so that implementation can begin immediately.

Providing information to police officials regarding the law and its proper implementation is a priority for the government, he said.

“The government also wants to see the Punjab sound system ordinance implemented,” the commissioner said.

He said that the chief secretary asked the police to prepare a list of people booked under the Punjab Sound System Regulation Ordinance 2015 from January 10 to end of the month.

Commissioner Zahid Saeed said the government had also directed police stations in the four districts of Rawalpindi Division to collect details of tenants living in their limits.

Under the Punjab Sound System regulation Ordinance 2015, all stations house officers will inspect sound systems at worship places and local areas.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) may seize any sound system which is used, or reasonably suspected to have been used, in causing annoyance or injury to people in the vicinity.

Punjab Temporary Residents Ordinance 2015 requires all landlords and property dealers to submit details of tenants with 48 hours of the new tenant moving into a house. The ordinance also forbids hostels from housing anyone who is not a student or member of staff.

A police officer above the rank of Sub-Inspector may, subject to reasonable notice, inspect a rented premises, hostel or hotel.

The landlord, manager and the property dealer are bound to ensure that the tenant or guest does not possess an unlicensed firearm or an explosive.

Under Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishment Ordinance 2015, the District Security Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of district coordination officer should be established to point out the vulnerable establishments for security purposes.

The new law also binds District Security Advisory Committee to ensure that streets and roads are cleared of debris and construction material and manholes and broken water supply pipes are covered so that explosives cannot be concealed at such places.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

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