Report sought on steps to check dengue

LAHORE:The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought a report from Punjab government regarding steps taken to contain dengue virus in the province.

Justice Muhammad Waheed Khan also sought a reply from the government on an FIR lodged against a doctor for not controlling dengue virus when the sole jurisdiction was vested with Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC).

Earlier, a provincial law officer submitted that dengue fever was a contagious disease and police could take action under Punjab Prevention and Control of Dengue Regulations 2019 after approved by the chief minister and cabinet. Advocate Sheraz Zaka on behalf of Dr Tauseef Razzaq, the petitioner, argued the case should have been firstly investigated by Punjab Healthcare Commission and if found guilty then police could proceed.

He submitted that without the recommendation of the commission, the police could not proceed and nor cause undue harassment to the doctors. He said mere inadvertent or careless act did not constitute a criminal offence. The counsel asked the court to restrain Shalimar Town police from conducting raids and causing harassment to the petitioner.

The judge directed the law officer to submit report on behalf of the respondents on the matter of FIR against the doctor and also steps taken to contain deleterious effects of dengue virus under Punjab Epidemic Act 1958.

Rlaw officers: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought replies from the Punjab chief secretary, secretary finance and others on a petition by district attorneys, law officers working for administrative departments challenging the denial of executive allowance.

During a brief hearing, the petitioner’s counsel told the court that the petitioners had qualified the competitive exam of PPSC (BS-17 & 18) and had been working as assistant/deputy district attorneys/law officers in all districts of the province. He said the petitioners had been rendering their services on the pattern of the law officers of the Punjab advocate general office. However, he said, the government granted executive allowance (1.5 times of monthly basic pay) to all officers of the same rank working in S&GAD but the petitioners had been excluded from the facility in a discriminatory manner.

TLP: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought replies from the provincial and city governments on a petition by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) against the denial of permission to hold its “Kashmir Conference” at Minar-i-Pakistan.

A counsel appeared on behalf of the party and argued that holding a peaceful gathering was a fundamental right of every citizen or any political party. He claimed that the TLP was the fourth biggest party in the country and third in Punjab.