For the third time: Punjab home secretary, DCs empowered to impose Section 144 for 90 days

LAHORE: The caretaker cabinet of Punjab has empowered the deputy commissioners and home secretary for the third time to impose Section-144 for 90 days.

Sources said the cabinet had already entrusted the DCs and home secretaries twice the powers of Section-144 of CRPC 1898. As such, the governor issued the ordinance twice for 90 days each (180 days) that lapsed on November 29, 2023.

After the approval from the cabinet, the summary has been forwarded to the governor Punjab for the issuance of ordinance.

The ordinance will empower the home secretary to impose Section-144 for two months, DCs for 7 days and the government for an indefinite period in view of precarious law and order situation. The CRPC could not be amended in the absence of Punjab Assembly.

The caretaker cabinet of Punjab has sent this summary to the governor under Articles 128 and 105 of the Constitution, which bind the governor to issue ordinance after the cabinet sends him a summary.