LAHORE: The Punjab government on Friday told the Lahore High Court that no rule had been violated in introducing new uniform for the police force in the province.

During hearing of a petition against the newly-introduced police uniform, an additional advocate general stated the police uniform had been changed lawfully and procurement rules had been strictly followed in awarding contract for manufacturing of the uniform.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah directed the petitioner’s counsel to file his rejoinder on the next hearing.

The chief justice also warned the petitioner of imposing a fine if contention in the petition was not proved true. He observed that the culture of filing frivolous petitions should be discouraged.

Hearing was adjourned till April 20.

Advocate Mian Shabbir Ismail had filed the petition pleading that the government’s decision of changing police uniform instead of changing police culture was irrational. He also questioned the tender given to a textile mills for manufacturing of the uniform alleging that procurement rules have been violated by the government.

He said instead of wasting public money on uniform, it should be spent on improving the police culture and all basic facilities for the betterment of the citizens of Punjab.

The lawyer asked the court to set aside the tender process for the new uniform for being in violation of the rules.

promoted: The Lahore High Court administration committee on Friday promoted 147 judicial officers of Punjab.

A notification issued by the LHC registrar said 38 senior civil judges were promoted to the rank of additional district and sessions judges while 109 civil judges were promoted as senior civil judges.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2017