Special powers to counter pandemic: Punjab SPs get new instructions to check virus spread

LAHORE: To prevent spread of coronavirus, CCPO Zulfiqar Hameed has issued new instructions to Divisional SPs under emergency powers assigned in the Police Order 2002.

The decree states that all public / religious gatherings will be banned in Lahore to stop spread of global outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. The CCPO exercised his powers conferred upon him under Articles 118, 119 and 123 of the Police Order 2002. The order issued says, “Police will take action on opening of parks, hotels, restaurants, roads, gyms, snooker clubs and educational institutions”.

There will be action on hoarding/ selling of important medical supplies, facemasks, sanitizers on exorbitant prices,” the order read. The same order further warns, “Inciting/ assisting/ asking/ directing of people in above conducts will also be reprimanded”.

The police officers on seeing a suspect of coronavirus patient shall immediately give directions to him/ her to undergo any testing or treatment.

The officer can give direction for any other therapy which is expedient for effective management and control of virus/ disease,” read the order. Under the same order police officers will be able to inspect or treat corona victims. “Any police officer on seeing such illegal gathering/ activity can take all legal actions including issuance of notice in the light of restrictions imposed under this order, bind down such violator(s) to appear in the police station concerned for rendering an undertaking regarding future conduct to abide by all the restrictions imposed under this order, take legal action in pursuance of the provisions of the Police Order, 2002 as per this order as well as other laws for the time being in force”. “In order to prevent spread of the deadliest virus in the town and to save the precious lives of its inhabitants all divisional SPs are here authorised to take necessary legal action under Police Order,” authorised the order.