LHC summons Punjab IG over failure to recover missing girls

LAHORE, Oct 05 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday expressed displeasure over the police performance in a case concerning the failure to recover two allegedly abducted girls and summoned the Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) in person on Tuesday.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard a contempt petition filed by Sadia Hassan. Faisalabad CPO Tanveer Hussain appeared before the court in person along with Assistant Advocate General Waqas Umar. The law officer submitted a police report regarding the case.

When the petitioner’s counsel sought permission to withdraw the petition, the chief justice expressed displeasure and observed that whenever a senior police officer was summoned in a case, a request to withdraw the petition was subsequently made.

The chief justice made it clear that the petition would not be withdrawn, observing that the matter was between the court and the officer allegedly responsible for contempt and could not be concluded merely by withdrawing the petition.

The court questioned CPO Tanveer Hussain about the steps taken to recover the girls. The officer briefed the court on the measures taken for their recovery.

However, the court further observed that police officers could not absolve themselves of responsibility merely by issuing show-cause notices.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum remarked that only the parents of girls who are allegedly abducted or go missing can understand the anguish and suffering they endure.

The chief justice also recalled that the Punjab IG had stated that several measures had already been taken for the recovery of missing girls.