LHC summons law, home secretaries

Petitioner says IGP cannot be appointed without approval of public safety commission

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the secretaries of Home and Law departments to appear in person before the court on the petition against the appointment of Punjab Inspector General of Police without the approval of the public safety commission.

LHC Chief Justice Anwarul Haq remarked angrily that this matter has been under hearing since 2017, but we have not seen any progress from the authorities concerned. The petitioner said the court’s orders have not been followed and the IGP has not been appointed on merit. He maintained that the constitution of the safety commission for the appointment of the IGP was necessary but the IGP has been appointed without the approval of the commission. The petitioner requested the court to annul the IGP’s appointment. The court adjourned the hearing for November 26.

Meanwhile, LHC on the petition against the dismissal of 160 employees of the land revenue department in three districts, ordered the authorities concerned to pay three months’ salary to the employees who were sacked. The court issued the notice to the senior member of board of revenue. Justice Sajid Mehmood of the LHC issued the orders while hearing a petition challenging the dismissal, filed by Raja Fareed and other employees.

Advocate Safdar Shaheen Pirzada pointed out that all the petitioners have been working in the department but they all were dismissed from their duties without issuing any prior notice. The lawyer requested the court to pass the order of reinstatement of the employees.