LAHORE: A citizen has challenged the initiative to reduce the powers of the anti-corruption authorities in the Lahore High Court on Tuesday.

Sardar Shamim Gul filed a petition in the court, making the Punjab Governor, the Chief Secretary, the Law Secretary and the Director General of Anti-Corruption as parties to the petition.

According to the petitioner, the Punjab Government recommended the Punjab Governor to issue an ordinance on December 1, 2023, that curtailed the anti-corruption powers. The ordinance gave the authority to take action against government employees of different grades to various bureaucrats.

A three-member committee was formed to investigate and decide on the complaints within 15 days. The ordinance also required the permission of the Secretary of the Department before arresting a Grade 17 officer.

The petitioner argued that reducing the powers of the anti-corruption authorities was a violation of Articles 8, 9, 10 and 25 of the Constitution, which guarantee fundamental rights and equality before law. He requested the court to annul the move and stop its implementation until the final decision of the case.

A single bench of the High Court will hear the case tomorrow.