LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed police to ensure free movement of Punjab Assembly Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti from court to the assembly premises.

       The assembly secretary appeared before the court in a petition filed by the inspector general of police (IGP) challenging a show-cause notice issued by the former in the wake of police presence in a session held to elect a new chief minister.

       The court directed the assembly’s secretary to produce the record of the case, however, he stated that the assembly was in its 40th session and it was not possible to bring the record. The secretary sought time to produce the requisite record.

       Advocate Amir Saeed Rawn, on behalf of the assembly’s secretary, told the court that police arrested the secretary coordination of the assembly on his way to the LHC. He said a heavy contingent was also deployed on all gates of the LHC to arrest the secretary as well. He asked the court to restrain police from arresting the secretary of the assembly.

       Justice Shujaat Ali Khan adjourned further hearing till May 6 and directed the IGP to ensure free movement of the secretary from court to the assembly.

       The IGP through his counsel contended that the deputy speaker was bound to maintain the decorum of the house and in the event of any untoward situation, he could ask the law enforcement agencies for assistance to disperse the contingents.

       The counsel said actions performed by the petitioner, in the exercise of his routine duties, were immune from being challenged before any forum under the law. He stated that the IGP managed the security in the assembly’s session on the directions of the high court.

       Published in Dawn, April 29th, 2022