Tag: Lahore High Court

  • Lahore High Court orders two-day work-from-home policy for private sector

    Lahore High Court orders two-day work-from-home policy for private sector

    Lahore High Court has directed the caretaker Punjab government to implement two days weekly off for all educational institutions till January next year, along with a two-day work-from-home policy for the private sector.

    In reply to a plea seeking the court’s intervention in tackling smog in the province, the court released a three-page long order.

    In a bid to counter deteriorating quality in Punjab, the caretaker government on Sunday made it mandatory for all citizens to wear a face mask for a week in the smog-hit districts of the province.

  • Lahore court orders closure of schools on Saturday, work-from-home twice a week

    Lahore court orders closure of schools on Saturday, work-from-home twice a week

    Justice Shahid Kareem of the Lahore High Court on Monday ordered the caretaker provincial government to close all educational institutions on Saturdays across the province. The judge also ordered that work-from-home-policy be enforced two days a week for offices. 

    The ruling was passed during a hearing of a petition pertaining to the measures taken by the Punjab government to control air pollution. “Commissioner Lahore has failed completely in controlling smog. He talks big but nothing happens on the ground. Just a notification is issued to shut everything,” he reprimanded the authorities of Lahore. 

    “Videos of crop residual burning being shared are very disappointing,” Justice Karim said, ordering the instant removal of deputy commissionaires in Sheikhupura, Jhang, Hafizabad, Khanewal, Nankana and Bahawalnagar, citing the deteriorating situation of smog in these districts. He ordered the Chief Secretary to immediately issue a notification to transfer the aforementioned officers. 

  • Next four days crucial for Lahore, says caretaker CM Naqvi

    Next four days crucial for Lahore, says caretaker CM Naqvi

    Caretaker CM Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has said that, “The next four days are highly important regarding smog.” He was visiting construction sites in Saggiyan.

    Section 144 has been imposed in Lahore as part of a health and environmental emergency. The Chief Minister asserted that people should not come out of their houses unnecessarily. “There will not be much restriction on Iqbal Day but later anti-smog measures will be strictly implemented,” he said.

    The lesser number of traffic on the roads will provide ease in improving the environment and for that Punjab Government has requested traders to comply with the decision and announce the shutdown of the markets. This, he believes, will reduce the traffic and that will lessen the intensity of the smog.

    It is important to mention that Lahore is topping the charts for having a hazardous air-quality index for the last one week.

  • Lahore High Court issues directives on safety, environmental hazards

    Lahore High Court issues directives on safety, environmental hazards

    Lahore High Court has issued a written order pertaining to environmental problems and safety hazards on roads.

    The court order said that those who use green belts for parking should be fined Rs 5,000, forwarding the order to all housing societies and authorities concerned.

    The court has also ordered the shutting down of polluting brick kilns, and filing criminal cases against the officials who do not take action against the kilns.

    Additionally, the court ordered the CTO to impose a fine of Rs 2,000 on motorcycle riders without helmets and this order will be enforced across the province.

    The Dolphin police have also been directed to keep a check on people in case of violation of the latest orders.

    Reforestation

    The Lahore High Court also shed light on the importance of reforestation, pointing at the Miyawaki model where more urban forests should be planted.

    To ensure that they meet the necessary environmental standards, the LDA will be closely working with the Environment Department while planning and executing development projects.

    Additionally, strict action is to be taken against kilns emitting black smoke which is one of the major contributors to poor air quality.

  • ‘Last opportunity’ for police to recover Imran Riaz Khan: Lahore High Court

    ‘Last opportunity’ for police to recover Imran Riaz Khan: Lahore High Court

    The Lahore High Court (LHC) has said on Wednesday that it’s the “last opportunity” for Punjab Police to recover missing journalist and YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan by September 26, adjourning the hearing till then.

    Imran Riaz was arrested after May 9 riots. He was taken to the Cantt police station and then transferred to Sialkot prison.

    After that, the law officer told the court that Imran Riaz had been released from jail after taking a written undertaking on May 15.

    On May 16, the father of the anchorperson, Muhammad Riaz, filed a first information report (FIR) with the Sialkot Civil Lines police, alleging that Imran had been kidnapped.

    The FIR was registered against “unidentified persons” and police officials for allegedly kidnapping Imran, invoking Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

    Imran Riaz’s father also filed a petition in the LHC for his recovery.

  • IG Punjab promises ‘good news’ soon in ongoing search for missing journalist Imran Riaz

    IG Punjab promises ‘good news’ soon in ongoing search for missing journalist Imran Riaz

    Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar, during a court hearing addressing a plea concerning the whereabouts of anchorperson Imran Riaz, asserted on Wednesday that the police were poised to deliver “good news” in the coming days. As a result of this statement, the court granted an extension for additional time to locate the missing journalist.

    Imran Riaz has remained untraceable since his apprehension at Sialkot airport on May 11, a mere two days following widespread protests triggered by the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on May 9. His last known location was the Cantt police station immediately following his arrest, and subsequently, he was transferred to Sialkot prison.

    It’s worth noting that Imran Riaz was among several journalists taken into custody in the aftermath of the May 9 protests. Following these events, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed on May 16 by the anchorperson’s father, Muhammad Riaz, alleging the abduction of his son. 

    According to Dawn, the FIR listed “unidentified persons” and police officials as suspects under Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code, pertaining to kidnapping or abducting with the intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person.

    In parallel, the journalist’s father initiated legal proceedings by submitting a plea to the Lahore High Court for the recovery of his son. 

    Today, Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti presided over the case and was apprised by the Punjab IG of positive progress in the ongoing investigation. 

    In his statement, the IG assured the court of forthcoming positive developments within the next 10 to 15 days and requested additional time for their efforts to locate Imran Riaz.

  • Bushra Bibi files petition to avoid possible arrest

    Bushra Bibi files petition to avoid possible arrest

    Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, has moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) to stop authorities from arresting her, asking for details of all the cases including undisclosed first information reports (FIRs) registered against her.

    The petition, filed through Advocate Mushtaq Ahmad Mohal on Monday, states that after the illegal removal of the petitioner’s husband from the office of the prime minister, political victimization of the petitioner, her husband and other family members has been initiated by federal and provincial governments as well as law enforcement agencies, all of whom are respondents in the petition.

    Bushra Bibi has pleaded that FIRs against her have been kept secret by the respondents to bar her from seeking pre-arrest bail. The respondents include the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Anti Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab, and police.

    “That act of the respondents regarding lodging false, frivolous, baseless and concocted FIRs against the petitioner and to conceal the FIRs numbers, police stations, districts, dates and provinces clearly indicates that the respondents intend to arrest the petitioner without providing an opportunity to get the relief from competent courts of law in the shape of anticipatory bails and pre-arrest bails and to get the FIRs secret against the petitioner at the behest of the respondents is not warranted by law, so law and justice demand that the respondents be directed to submit list of all criminal cases registered against the petitioner throughout in Pakistan, so that the petitioner may approach the competent courts of law, for redress of her grievances,” the petition read.

    It further requested for an order against arresting Bushra Bibi in any case till the provision of the details of case. The hearing of the petition is fixed before the court of Justice Alia Neelum.

    READ MORE: PDM is not ready to talk with Imran

  • Parvez Elahi arrested again hours after being set free

    Parvez Elahi arrested again hours after being set free

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf President and former Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has been arrested again after his brief release today.

    Islamabad Police arrested Chaudhry Parvez Elahi from Canal Road in Lahore, leaving with him for the federal capital. Earlier today, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release Parvez Elahi, after the accountability watchdog’s decision to arrest the former chief minister of Punjab was challenged in court through a petition.

    After Elahi was brought before the court, LHC Justice Amjad Rafiq announced the decision, telling NAB at the hearing today that if Elahi is not produced today, the court will issue a warrant against the director-general of the accountability body.

    On the NAB prosecutor’s reply, Justice Amjad Rafiq said that there will be a complete inquiry, ordering Parvez Elahi’s immediate release.

    It should be noted that when Parvez Elahi first filed an application in the Lahore High Court, the court granted him bail in all cases. But against the decision of the single bench of the court, the Punjab government filed an appeal before a two-member bench, which suspended the decision of the single-member bench.

  • ‘Not satisfied with the investigation in Jaranwala incident’: Christian Community

    Grace Bible Fellowship Church Pakistan, a missionary trust, has filed a writ petition through its chairman Peter Charles requesting the court to order a judicial inquiry committee to ensure a fair investigation into and trial of the perpetrators of the Jaranwala incident.

    The petitioner states that an incident of alleged defiling of the Holy Quran, unfortunately, happened in Jaranwala, and through announcements from local mosques, a severe riot took place by a furious mob of Muslim devotees. The mob ransacked the properties of Christian residents, and the riotous elements torched more than 25 churches of and over 50 houses, along with household articles, using petrol bombs.

    Petition submits that the members of the Christian community of the area still live in a state of fear and at risk to their lives and liberty, alleging that the local administration and law enforcement authorities deliberately failed to control the violent mob and the law and order situation.

    It further states that although joint investigation teams (JITs) constituted by the government will submit their findings after completion of due course, which is a time taking practice, whereas the victims seek instant remedies to restore their routine life.

    Expressing its concerns over the working of the JITs, the Christian body says more than 500 suspects were involved in the riots, but the police have only arrested 25 to 30, just to save their skins. It alleges that police officials are also under undue pressure from influential extremist elements.

    The petition pleads that the Christian community is dissatisfied with the performance and discriminating behaviour of the police, as well as the proceedings of the JITs.

    It urges the court to restrain the police from engaging in illegal abduction, harassment and pressurising of the members of the Christian community at the behest of religious elements for any undue, unfair compromise and settlement.

    Advocate Shahbaz Fazal Saroya, the petitioner’s counsel, resubmitted the petition after removing the objections raised by the registrar’s office.

  • Punjab govt set to spend Rs2.3 billion on new cars for officials

    Punjab govt set to spend Rs2.3 billion on new cars for officials

    In a recent development, the caretaker government of Punjab has taken a decision to acquire 200 new vehicles at a total cost of Rs2.3 billion, raising concerns about the use of taxpayer money on luxury vehicles for bureaucrats.

    According to reliable sources, the financing for this purchase will be drawn from the tax revenue contributed by the public, prompting scrutiny over the allocation of such a substantial amount for the benefit of government officials.

    A letter has been issued requesting the release of advance funds from the finance ministry to facilitate the acquisition process. The Assistant Commissioners throughout Punjab are slated to get Toyota Corolla Altis 1600cc vehicles, while Deputy Commissioners in each district will be given Toyota Yaris. At the Tehsil level, Assistant Commissioners will be provided with Double Cabin vehicles, as per an official notification.

    However, amidst this decision, a concerned citizen has taken legal action by filing a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking the removal of Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, and his cabinet members from office. The petitioner argues that the caretaker government’s term has exceeded its constitutional mandate.

    The petitioner contends that although the Supreme Court has extended the election date in the province, it has not extended the tenure of the caretaker government. Consequently, the continued occupation of office by Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi and his cabinet is perceived as a breach of the constitution and raises questions about its constitutional legitimacy.

    As the situation unfolds, public attention remains focused on the utilisation of public funds for bureaucratic privileges, while the legal challenge adds further complexity to the already contentious political landscape in Punjab.