Supreme Court orders Punjab govt to remove security barriers in Lahore

LAHORE: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Sunday directed the provincial government to immediately remove barriers placed in the name of security on the streets of Punjab’s provincial capital.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, who headed the three-judge bench, gave this direction while hearing a case pertaining to security barriers at the apex court’s Lahore registry.

The bench directed the provincial authorities to remove all barriers placed outside the Punjab chief minister’s camp office in Model Town, Governor House, IG Punjab Police office and Raiwind within 24 hours.

At the outset of the hearing, the bench asked the provincial home secretary to apprise it of places where barriers were erected.

To which, the secretary responded that barriers had been placed where there were security concerns.

“Aren’t there any concerns for our safety, but we haven’t erected barriers,” the chief justice remarked.

Addressing CM Shahbaz, he said he was a public representative, therefore, he should interact with the public.

The Punjab chief minister, who appeared before the bench in response to its summons in a polluted water case, assured that barriers will be removed in compliance with court orders.

A day earlier, the bench came down hard on Punjab police over barriers erected in Model Town, Raiwind and outside IG Punjab Police headquarters.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz said barriers outside chief minister’s office in Model Town were erected owing to security concerns.

The chief justice said he would ask the chief minister to explain why barriers were placed there and that they would be removed.