GUJRAT: The drop scene of an unpleasant incident of detention and handcuffing of the assistant commissioner on the orders of a civil judge in Sahiwal tehsil (Sargodha) took place as both the officials were transferred on Saturday.

In separate notifications issued by the Lahore High Court chief justice and the Punjab chief secretary, respectively, civil judge Muhammad Naeem was transferred to Piplan tehsil of Mianwali against a vacant post whereas Sahiwal AC Muhammad Haider was transferred and posted as AC Samundari (Faisalabad) with immediate effect.

Faisal Sultan, serving as AC Samundari, was transferred and posted as AC Sahiwal (Sargodha).

Development may ease tensions

On Dec 12, civil judge Muhammad Naeem had ordered the detention of AC Haider in connection with an application of a local lawyer for the removal of encroachments in front of the local vegetable market as the court had earlier ordered the AC [to launch a clean-up operation] in his capacity as administrator of Sahiwal Municipal Committee.

However, the AC was set free when he tendered a written apology on the insistence of representatives of the local bar association to resolve the matter.

Later on Monday the last, the entire administrative officials and land revenue staff had observed a pen-down strike across Punjab to register their protest against the detention and handcuffing of Sahiwal AC by the judge.

The chief secretary had apprised the chief justice of the feelings of the administrative staff upon which the Sargodha district and sessions judge and deputy commissioner Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh visited Sahiwal on Tuesday the last and jointly heard both the officials involved in the controversy. Both the heads of district judiciary and the administration had submitted their separate reports to their provincial chiefs.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...