LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday warned police against violation of its orders regarding ban on media interviews of under-custody suspects.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa remarked that violation of court orders will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The judge was hearing a case regarding the incidents of sharing videos of detainees by the police of Kasur and Lahore.

`Who allows access to the arrested suspects? Who permits entry into police stations?` the judge questioned.

Justice Bajwa referred to the social media policy adopted by the London Metropolitan police, asking the government officials whether they give media access to arrested suspects.

During the hearing, two anchorpersons of a private news channel appeared before the court to explain their positions on interviews of arrested persons they conducted inside the police stations.

The judge directed both anchorpersons to act with caution in future and withdrew the contempt proceedings against them.

A suspended station house officer of Kasur also offered an apology in a contempt of court case related to the viral video of women and men arrested from a farmhouse.

The judge directed the SHO to submit a written apology.

Prosecutor General of Punjab Syed Farhad Ali Shah told the court that following the chief minister`s notice, ahigh-powered committee was investigating the Kasur incident. He assured the court that those responsible will be held accountable.

Justice Bajwa observed that in light of the chief minister`s proactive steps, the contempt proceedings were being withdrawn.

The judge expressed his dissatisfaction with the social media rules submitted in the court by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The judge adjourned further hearing for progress reports from the government and the police.

LIST OF OSDS: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to furnish a list of its officials working as officers on special duty (OSDs) in all provincial departments.

Justice Sajid Mehmood Sethi was hearing a petition filed by Abdullah Haroon advocate challenging the payment of salaries being made to the OSDs without performing any official duties.

Earlier, an assistant attorney general submitted details of 103 officers currently posted as OSD in the federal government without assignments. Thedetails showed five OSDs in BPS-22, 16 in BPS-21, 12 in BPS-20, 17 in BPS-19, 45 in BPS-18 and nine in BPS-17.

Although the petitioner rejected the government`s list as being incomplete, he argued that it was only due to court proceedings that any progress had been made on the issue.

He stated that many government officers were being paid without work and burdening the national exchequer.

Justice Sethi questioned why the Punjab government had not yet submitted its list of the OSDs.

A counsel for the provincial government sought time toprocure and presentthelistsoon.

The judge allowed the request and directed the government to submit the details within a week.

The judge remarked that the matter was important and a decision would be issued soon.

The petitioner contended that all OSDs be given immediate postings and that the practice of placing officers as OSDs without justification be declared unlawful.-Staff Reporter