The Lahore High Court on Monday asked the local police to apprise it of the law under which they have erected wall at the entry gate of Race Course Park facing GOR-I. The court further asked AIG Legal, present in the court, whether they also erected walls at the entrance of Chief Minister, Governor and Prime Minister Houses.
The court negated the plea of AIG that the step was taken for the security of GOR-I residents where judges of superior courts also live. The court also rejected the plea taken by the officer that the judges residing in GOR-I had any security concern. "If judges have had any security risk, I could not sit in my courtroom freely," Justice Azmat remarked. If government officers, residing in GOR-I, had life threats, they should abandon their offices, judge further remarked.
The judge angrily asked the police officer whether the residents of GOR-I were only citizens of this country, who will protect the lives of common citizens living outside the GOR. The nation will have to suffer for years the prevailing situation in the country but it did not allow the authorities to erect barricades on roads and streets for the security of government officers, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed.
DSP Legal and DG PHA were also present in the court who were directed to file a detail reply on Monday to justify their acts. Justice Azmat was hearing a petition filed by a local lawyer challenging the closure of Race Course Gate No 3 on the directions of IGP Punjab due to security reasons.
Petitioner Shafqat Chohan said that to provide security to citizen was the responsibility of state instead of creating hurdles for the citizens by blocking roads for the security of high profile officers. He said the barricades erected in GOR-I have affected more than 5000 daily visitors of Race Course Park, which was a violation of basic human rights.