LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought a reply from the Punjab government on a public interest petition challenging the transfer of the capital city police officer (CCPO) and other police officers posted in the metropolis.
The government, the other day, transferred CCPO Ghulam Mahmood Dogar, DIG Operations Sohail Chaudhry and DIG Investigation Shariq Jamal apparently for mishandling of recent protest by the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan.
Assailing the transfers, petitioner Ammar Rafiq through his counsel argued that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had on Oct 18, 2021, announced a by-election in NA-133, Lahore.
He said the ECP had also put a ban on the transfer and posting of the government officials till the publication of the returned candidate in the bypoll to be held on Dec 5.
He argued that the notification regarding the transfer of the three police officers had been issued in violation of the Election Act 2017 order and the constitutional provisions.
The petitioner asked the court to set aside the impugned notification issued by the Punjab government.
A law officer appeared before the court and sought time to seek instructions from the government.
The court allowed the request and adjourned hearing till Nov 8.
Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2021
