JIT to probe vandalism
PTI supporters clash with police during a protest against Imran’s arrest in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP
The provincial caretaker government has decided to constitute a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe into the recent incidents of setting ablaze the Jinnah House and vandalising military and civil installations.
The decision was taken in a meeting held at the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) head office to review the law and order situation.
As per an official announcement, the JIT will submit a comprehensive report to the government after investigating the incidents.
According to police sources, the number of people arrested across the province in connection with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) protests after the arrest for former prime minister Imran Khan rose to 3,174. At least 104 people were arrested on Saturday, including 41 in the provincial capital.
Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered the authorities to expedite a crackdown in order to bring all miscreants into the stern grip of the law. He called for geo-fencing of all places that had been attacked, adding that all cases against the miscreants would be tried in Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs). The public prosecution department was instructed to ensure speedy trial of all the cases.
However, the caretaker CM stressed that any innocent person should not be apprehended while ensuring not to leave off the hook any violator of the law. He underscored that every miscreant would be brought to the courts along with witnesses and concrete proof.
He announced that the educational institutions would be reopened on Monday as the situation was improving. Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar gave a briefing about the law and order situation in the province and a crackdown against miscreant elements.
The chief secretary, additional chief secretaries, senior police officers, provincial secretaries of law and public prosecution, the commissioner and deputy commissioner of Lahore and other officers of departments concerned attended the meeting. All divisional commissioners and regional police officers attended the meeting through video link.
Section 144
In another development, Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rahman promulgated on Saturday the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 to make it easier to enforce Section 144 in emergency situations.
Official sources said the imposition of restrictions through Section 144 under the Criminal Procedure Code had caused legal complications for the government as it was not possible practically to refer every case to the cabinet immediately in an emergency situation.
The promulgation of the ordinance has expedited the enforcement of restrictions under Section 144 in emergency situations, the sources added.
Under the amendment, the deputy commissioner or any other officer especially empowered by the Punjab government would be authorised to issue orders under Section 144 of CrPC in urgent cases.
Governor Balighur Rehman also promulgated the Punjab Agricultural Marketing Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, allowing in the light of directives of the Election Commission the termination of services of persons appointed on political grounds to the boards of the authority and market companies.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2023.