The Lahore High Court (LHC) has expressed strong displeasure over the failure of police to produce accused persons before trial courts during Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches, summoning the Punjab chief secretary and home secretary in their personal capacity, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Thursday.
According to the report, LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum, while hearing a bail petition in a fraud case, observed that if police could not present accused persons due to security duties for PSL matches and teams, then courts might as well be shut down.
The remarks came after the accused was not produced before the trial court, delaying proceedings.
The chief justice ordered Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman and Home Secretary Dr Ahmed Javed Qazi to appear in person on March 30.
The hearing pertained to the bail application of Syed Ali Ameer, who is accused of impersonating a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and allegedly taking 1.5 million rupees from the complainant under the pretext of facilitating a promotion, while also transferring the complainant’s property into his own name.
A fraud case was registered against him at Liaquatabad police station on December 20, 2022.
During the Thursday hearing, representing the Punjab government, Additional Prosecutor General Akhlaq Solahri submitted a police report.
The defence counsel argued in the court that cross-examination of witnesses could not take place due to the absence of the accused, stating that suspects were not presented before the trial court on March 25 owing to security arrangements for PSL matches.
At this, the chief justice reiterated that judicial proceedings could not be compromised for sporting events, remarking that if security for PSL teams and matches prevented the production of accused persons, then courts should be closed.
The court later adjourned the hearing of the bail application until March 30. In the same case, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana has already appeared before the chief justice three times.
It is worth mentioning that the PSL's season 11 is set to run from March 26 to May 3, 2026, featuring 44 matches among eight teams in Lahore and Karachi, all to be played behind closed doors.
The tournament opened at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with 22 matches scheduled in each of the two cities, while playoffs will begin on April 26 and the final will be held on May 3.
Earlier on March 22, Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi announced that the league would proceed as scheduled but without spectators due to prevailing security concerns.
Speaking at a press conference, Naqvi said the uncertain situation in the Middle East made it difficult to ensure the safety of large crowds, leading to the decision to bar fans from attending matches.
The PCB chairman also confirmed that the opening ceremony had been cancelled and the tournament would begin directly with matches.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Home Department has sought more than 3.3 billion rupees for PSL XI and other security expenditures for 2026.
According to sources, 1.022 billion rupees were requested for outstanding dues, while 2.28 billion rupees were sought for PSL-related arrangements. However, the government approved 1.2 billion rupees instead of the full amount demanded.