LAHORE: With a view to countering terrorism, the provincial government promulgated “Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Ordinance 2015 and the Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Ordinance 2015.
According to the Punjab govt, under Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishments Ordinance 2015, a security advisory committee will be constituted by DCOs in each sub-division. The committees to be led by District Police Officers will comprise of a BPS 16 or above officer of the district administration, a BPS 16 or above officer from the Special Branch, an officer of the Counter Terrorism Department, three traders’ representatives and other stakeholders. The committee to be for one year tenure, will meet at least once in a month under its chairperson. An act or proceedings of the committee will not be invalid merely for reason of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the committee.
The committee will identify and recommend the establishments for notification as vulnerable establishments, inspect a vulnerable establishment on quarterly basis, issue advice, in writing, to the manager of a vulnerable establishment for such security arrangements as may be necessary on the basis of threat perception, resources at the disposal of the establishment and other related factors. It will send report to the DPO in case of noncompliance. The committee may constitute a subcommittee.
The DCO may declare any establishment a vulnerable establishment and will maintain a list of such establishments and will issue updated list annually. Moreover, the committee will advise security arrangements. The committee will exercise the right to warn in writing the manager of a vulnerable establishment to take precautionary steps within a deadline. After the promulgation of the law, The Punjab Shops and Establishments (Security) Act 1999 is repealed.
As per the Punjab Information of Temporary Residents Ordinance 2015, the landlord and tenant will within forty eight hours from time of delivery of possession of the rented premises, provide information to police. Moreover, the owner will, within three hours from the time of arrival or check-in of a guest, provide information about the guest in the prescribed manner to the police.
A person, not being student or staff of an organization or institution, will not stay at a hostel exclusively managed and controlled by the organization without prior permission in writing. The manager will, within three hours from the time he receives information about stay of a person, provide information in the prescribed manner about the particulars of the person to the police through the fastest means of communication.
The police will conduct analysis of the data for prevention, detection and Investigation of offences. The Information received under this ordinance will not be used for any purpose other than prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of offences of terrorism and other offences under the Pakistan Penal Code.
