Punjab DCs get power to detain a person for 90 days

LAHORE: The Punjab government has handed over the authority to keep leaders of banned outfits and people included in Fourth Schedule under detention for 90 days to deputy commissioners.

Under Section 11EEE of the Anti-terrorism Act 1997, the government got approved from the cabinet the summary to amend the law through circulation. Before this step, it was a must to get approval from the chief minister and the cabinet to detain leaders of banned outfits and Fourth Schedulers. A deputy commissioner could issue orders to detain a person for 30 days under 3 MPO.

The Cabinet Standing Committee on Law has recommended an amendment to the Petition of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance 1960. According to the recommendation, the Home Department or the home secretary will get the authority to extend the detention for 120 days after detaining a person for 30 days. The Punjab government had to amend the MPO Ordinance when a review board consisting of three high court judges rejected the government request to extend the detention of TLP leader Saad Rizvi after detaining him for 90 days.