LAHORE – The Lahore High Court on Friday reproached top police officials, Chief Traffic Officer and the District Coordination Officer for not maintaining the traffic system in the provincial capital during demonstrations. It also ordered the removal of protective hurdles and barracks placed in front of government buildings.
City Capital Police Officer Ahmad Raza Tahir, Deputy Inspector General of Police Ghulam Mahmood Dogra, Chief Traffic Officer Mobeen Ahmad, District Coordination Officer Ahad Cheema and other officials had appeared before the court in connection with a petition seeking a policy to regulate demonstrations in the province and taking administrative actions against Paramedical Alliance President over the death of an old lady during the demo before PIC. Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik observed that the court would not allow destroying the traffic system of the city in the name of protests.
CCPO Ahmad Raza Tahir told the court that the administration had tried negotiating with the paramedics protesting before the Punjab Institute of Cardiology, but they refused to disperse. The CCPO requested the court to allow the police to register cases against the protesters but the court turned down his request. Petitioner lawyer Mian Asad Mahmud pointed out that the hurdles erected in front of different offices of the police were also causing traffic problems. In response the court ordered to remove all barracks and stands from police offices. The judge also directed the police and district administration officers to devise a police for protests acceptable for the all stake holders including citizens.