CM Maryam may face up to 6-year jail term for donning police, elite force uniforms

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz on Friday attended the passing out parade of the provincial police as a chief guest donning the 'Elite force uniform'.

The ceremony was held at the Elite Force training centre located at Bedian Road in Lahore.

Earlier on April 25, she attended the passing out ceremony of the policewomen by wearing a cop uniform.

The first woman CM Punjab was criticised by her opponents for donning a police uniform reportedly without obtaining a permit from the provincial police department.

According to the Police Order 2002, the use of police uniforms without authorisation is a punishable crime under clause 151.

"If any person not being a member of the police wears without authorisation, the uniform of police or any dress having the appearance or bearing any of the distinctive marks of police uniform, he shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine up to one hundred thousand rupees, or with both," the law read.

Later, the provincial police said CM Maryam Nawaz is entitled to wear a uniform as per Punjab Police Dress Regulations.

"As per the 'Punjab Police Dress Regulations', the CM of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is entitled to wear the police uniform. This has been widely celebrated by the police personnel, who view it as a commendable show of solidarity," the department said in a post on X.

On the other hand, a citizen has approached the district and sessions court in Lahore to file a case against CM Maryam Nawaz for wearing a police uniform.

The petition was approved by the sessions judge and the proceedings of the case are underway.

However, CM Maryam could land in jail for up to six years for allegedly breaching Police Order 2002 twice.

It is still unclear whether CM Maryam has obtained a license or permit from the police department for wearing an Elite force uniform or not.