LAHORE, May 8: After failing to find any way out, the Punjab government has reportedly once again requested the Lahore High Court chief justice to accept chairpersonship of the provincial public safety commission’s selection panel so that it could be constituted at the earliest.

The chief justice had earlier refused to become the chairperson reportedly because of his pre-occupation with his judicial and administrative responsibilities and he claimed that he could not handle the executive matter (selection of the independent members of the commission) since he belonged to judiciary.

Following his refusal, the provincial government had sought advice of the federal government on how to constitute the important provincial public safety commission without the chief justice’s participation in the selection process.

Official sources told Dawn on Thursday that the provincial government had now decided to once again request the chief justice so that the commission could be constituted without further delay.

“We are awaiting a reply by the chief justice. His role in the selection of the independent members is specified in the law and cannot be changed without amending it,” they added.

They said the province was under pressure from the federal government and the National Reconstruction Bureau to formulate the provincial safety commission. “That is why it has again requested the chief justice to accept the post.”

According to the Police Order 2002, the provincial safety commission comprises 12 members with provincial home minister as its ex-officio chairperson. Half of the members are to be nominated by the provincial assembly speaker from among its members, three each from the treasury and the opposition benches, in consultation with the leaders of the house and the opposition. At least two members are women.

The other half comprises independent members and they are to be appointed by the governor from a list of names to be recommended by the provincial selection panel, which will be headed by the chief justice.

“We are hoping for a positive response from the chief justice, as amendment to the law to give the responsibility to someone else appears to be impossible,” the officials said.