Petition against 102 officials arrest dismissed

LAHORE

The Lahore High Court dismissed petition challenging the arrest of 102 government officials, Patwaris and constables allegedly involved in occupying land of Faisalabad Industrial Estate. The court ordered all the accused officers to join police investigation.

Additional Prosecutor General Abdul Samad appeared before the court and submitted that Land Acquisition Collector of Faisalabad district looted public money by selling trees and state properties with the connivance of patwaris and officials of the forest department.

He said an inquiry was held which found them guilty. On the basis of the inquiry report, the Punjab Chief Secretary had suggested judicial proceedings against all accused officers, he said. However, the officials had obtained a stay order against their arrest from the court. They also used stay order as a shield for not appearing before anti-corruption authorities, said Abdul Samad.