SC takes suo motu notice of extrajudicial police encounters in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also appeared before the SC registry in Lahore

LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has taken suo motu notice of extrajudicial police encounters in Punjab.

The notice was taken during hearing of a suo motu case on supply of unclean water to Punjab’s provincial capital another case pertaining to the removal of security barricades from various important buildings in Lahore’s Supreme Court registry on Sunday.

In his remarks, Justice Nisar said he wanted to know how many people had been killed in police encounters.

The CJP directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz to submit a detailed report of all police encounters in the province within a week. Rejecting a request by IG Nawaz to extend deadline by one week, the court observed that the high-ranking police official should have the information regarding police encounters on their fingertips.



Removal of security barricades

A three-member bench headed by the CJP ordered removal of security barricades placed outside buildings including Jati Umra residence of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Model Town residence, the Governor House, Jamia al Qadsia, residences of Jamaatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed and former Governor Salman Taseer by tonight (Sunday).

During the proceedings, the additional home sectary informed the court that the barricades had been erected due to security concerns.

CJP remarked that he too was facing threats, adding that the authorities should alert security forces. "Chief minister is a public figure," he observed. "He should not be confined at home or scared of anyone."

Unclean water and dumping of wastage in River Ravi

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also appeared before the SC registry for the hearing of a suo motu case on supply of unclean water to Punjab’s provincial capital and the dumping of polluted water into River Ravi.

During the court proceedings, the chief minister informed court of projects for public welfare to which the CJP inquired about their performances.

CM Shehbaz requested three weeks to present a plan before the court, however the top court handed down three days for the submission.

Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, Punjab government spokesperson Malik Ahmed Khan, Punjab Inspector-General Arif Nawaz, Director-General Food Authority Noorul Ameen Mengal are also present in the courtroom.