LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has directed the Punjab government to complete installation of CCTV cameras at all police stations within six months to help eliminate ‘thana culture'.

Issuing a detailed order on a public interest petition, Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan ordered the data of CCTV cameras be preserved for at least three years.

Dr Yasin Zia, chairman of a welfare organisation, had filed the petition seeking directions to the government for provision of ambulances for his organisation and installation of CCTV cameras and other security equipment at public places, including police stations and hospitals.

In response to the court’s notice, the government said various steps were being taken for security of the public, particularly at religious places, schools and hospitals.

It said a project of Integrated Command and Control Centre was being developed on the lines of Command and Control Centres of the London Metropolitan Police and Turkish National Police. It also said 1,800 sites had been selected for initial installment of CCTV cameras in Lahore.

The court was also told that the government was taking steps to modernise all police stations to improve ‘ thanaculture’.

Justice Khan observed that everyone knew, as had been admitted in the government’s report that the ‘ thanaculture’ existed in its most brutal form in Punjab.

He also observed it was a ground reality that an ordinary citizen was afraid to enter a police station for redressal of his grievances.

However, he said, through the use of technology a ‘thana’ could be better supervised.

The judge directed the provincial government to endeavour to complete installation of CCTV cameras at police stations in the entire province within six months.

“These are to be installed in such a way that areas such as the entrance, corridors, lock-ups and main reception halls are covered at each of the police station with 24-hour surveillance each day, which is to be recorded in sound and picture form at the police station and the district headquarters levels,” the order said.

Justice Khan said the most important responsibility would of the inspector general (IG) of Punjab Police, who must ensure that each camera was functioning at every police station and record was maintained at least for three years, both at the police station and district headquarters.

After installation of the cameras, the inspector general would submit reports to the court on quarterly basis giving details of every police station as to how many cameras were installed along with a site map showing placement and confirmation that each camera was functional.

The judge, however, turned down the request of the petitioner regarding provision of ambulances and medical facilities to his organisation as the petitioner was unable to refer any rule or regulation on the basis of which a welfare organisation could claim such facilities from the government.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2015

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