LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday summoned the Punjab law secretary on a petition seeking implementation on the provisions of Police Order of 2002 with respect to appointments of provincial police chief and district police officers.

The petitioner submitted that a provincial police chief could not be appointed except by public safety commission envisaged in the police order. Under chapter 11 of the police order, the commission would recommend the names of three police officers for the appointment of the provincial police officer and capital city police officers.

However, it said, the safety commission had never been properly constituted since the promulgation of the police order in 2002. It asked the court to restrain the government from appointing new inspector general of police (IGP) till the constitution of the public safety commission.

An additional advocate general told the court that a summary was awaiting decision of the provincial cabinet for amendment to the police order eliminating the role of National Public Safety Commission in the appointment of the IGP.

Chief Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq adjourned hearing till Nov 22 and sought personal appearance of the law secretary.

SMOG: The LHC sought a report from the Punjab government about the implementation of recommendations by a court-made smog commission.

Petitioner Sheraz Zaka said the chief secretary and the environment secretary failed to perform statutory obligations. He said the entire province was adversely affected by the spillover effects of smog.

He said the respondent authorities should be directed to clamp down on the commercial activities of factory owners established in residential areas in Lahore and Gujranwala especially.

The court adjourned hearing till Nov 19.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2018