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KARACHI: Station House Officers (SHO) in Sindh can now take action against people violating coronavirus standard operation procedures (SOPs), according to a notification issued today (Monday).
In the notification, Sindh’s home department said that police inspectors could take action against those involved in violating the precautionary measures at offices, industries, and shops.
“The police officials have been allowed to take action under Section 3(1) of the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act, 2014, the notification said. The powers were earlier restricted to deputy and assistant commissioners.
“Beside Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners, Labour Officers concerned as well as personnel of Law Enforcement Agencies not below the rank of Inspector Police (or equivalent rank for other LEAs), the Additional Deputy Commissioners, Mukhtiarkars and Officers Incharge of Police Stations are also empowered under section 3(1) of the Sindh Epidemic Diseases Act, 2014 (The Sindh Act VII of 2015) to take any legal action on any act in contravention of this (original/amended) order or directions/notices issued thereunder and including action under section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code 1860,” it said.
The development comes days after the Sindh government had imposed province-wide restrictions to contain the outbreak of the novel coronavirus following a surge in cases due to the Delta variant.
