LAHORE: The Lahore High Court chief justice on Thursday dismissed a petition challenging introduction of new uniform for police force in Punjab.

Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah also imposed a fine of Rs10,000 on the petitioner for filing an unnecessary petition.

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

The Punjab government had stated that no rule had been violated in introducing new uniform for the police force. It said the uniform had been changed lawfully and procurement rules had been strictly followed in awarding the contract for manufacturing uniform.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2017