LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Thursday dismissed a petition, challenging introduction of new uniform for the police force in Punjab.
The chief justice also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 to the petitioner for filing an unnecessary petition. Lawyer Mian Shabbir Ismail had filed the petition, submitting that the decision of the government of changing the police uniform instead of changing the police culture in the province was irrational.
He said that an extensive debate had been started in the police circles about ‘less attractive’ new olive-green uniform for the force.
He said that the system was not capable of affording such lavish expenses pertaining to the uniform, especially at a time when police stations were lacking basic facilities, good buildings, infrastructures, utensils and other items.
He also alleged that the government had violated the rules while awarding tender to Nishat Textile Mills for manufacturing the new uniform.
He said that instead of wasting precious public money on uniform, the money should have been spent on improving the police culture and providing all basic facilities for the betterment of the citizens of Punjab.
He requested the court to set aside the tender process for the new police uniform for being in violation of the rules.
The counsel for the Punjab government in his reply said that no rule had been violated while introducing the new uniform for the police force in the province.
He said that the uniform had been changed lawfully, and procurement rules had been strictly followed in awarding contract for manufacturing the same.
