Police ordered to appoint guards on school vans

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has ordered Punjab police to appoint security guards for pick and drop vans for school going children in the city.

The CJ also summoned Punjab Advocate General for assistance on application to bring changes in Organ Transplantation Act . The judge issued these instructions on a petition of Advocate Zain Sikandar seeking directions for security of school vans. He submitted that incidents of kidnapping of school children are increasing and most of them are abducted on their way to school or vice versa due to which parents are very worried about security of their children. He said under the Constitution to protect the children was responsibility of the state.

Appearing on behalf of the Punjab government, a law officer said that boundary walls of 4,000 public, and 2,000 private schools of category “A” and “A plus” were raised and barbed wire were installed over them. He said security personnel were also deputed at these schools.

Faisal Masood, vice-chancellor of Kind Edward Medical University, appearing before the court said that transplantation of organs of kids below 5-year of age was not possible. He said; however, there are lacunas in the Organ Transplant Act regarding transplantation of organs of youngsters which should be removed.

After hearing the concerned, the CJ ordered the police to monitor the school vans and depute security personnel on them. The CJ also summoned AGP to assist the court to remove lacunas in Organ Transplant Act.

Advocate General Punjab Shakilur Rehman talking to reporters on Friday said that the government was taking practical steps for recovery of missing children and positive results were coming. He said in Lahore, the investigative teams were being monitored and being provided legal assistance. He said media should report on this topic with responsibility. He said to air pictures of missing persons, they are making a strategy.