LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Wednesday chided Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Shoaib Dastagir for faulty investigation conducted by police leading to acquittal of criminals.

The IGP appeared in the court on being summoned by the chief justice in a bail petition of a drug peddler.

The CJ reminded the provincial police chief that the case in hand was not the first wherein poor investigation by the police had been noticed. Every other day the court found serious lapses in investigation of criminal cases, he added.

Referring to the instant case, Chief Justice Khan said the petitioner was convicted in two other cases on drugs peddling charges but the investigating officer had not mentioned this in his report.

The CJ remarked that the criminals got benefit because of faulty police investigation and the courts were blamed for it.

Police chief’s response made part of the case

The IG said all efforts were being made for bringing improvement in the system, however, an absolute observance of all laws was beyond human control.

The chief justice expressed serious displeasure over the IGP remarks and warned him of sending the matter of his eligibility to the provincial government.

The CJ also directed the court’s associate to make the IG’s statement part of the record.

The petitioner, Fayaz, through his counsel contended that he was arrested six months ago on drug peddling charges but challan had not been submitted so far. He asked the court to release him on bail.

PILOTS: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday stayed suspension of two more pilots from service and also restrained the Civil Aviation Authority’s director general from finalising proceedings for cancellation of their licences.

Justice Jawad Hassan issued the stay on the petitions by Amir Mehmood Malik and Syed Mohsin Ali Zaidi.

The counsel for the petitioners argued before the court that they had been serving the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) for decades with valid licences.

He said the CAA director general suspended the petitioners’ licences without giving them an opportunity of hearing.

He also challenged the aviation rules which empowered the CAA DG to hear appeal against his own actions.

He asked the court to set aside the impugned decision of the pilots suspension and the rules of the violation for being unconstitutional.

Justice Hassan expressed concern over the action being taken against the pilots in an arbitrary manner. The judge posed a query whether the pilots being subjected to suspension crashed any plane. He also noted that the pilot of the ill-fated plane that crashed in May 2020 in Karachi had a valid licence.

The judge sought replies from the respondents and adjourned the hearing for a date to be determined after summer vacation.

The high court already stayed the suspension of two other pilots made on similar charges.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2020