Police can't be used for vested interest, says apex court.

ISLAMABAD -- The Supreme Court has observed police force cannot be made an instrument for the promotion of vested, elite interests.

'Integrity, independence and trustworthiness are crucial attributes of the police force for ensuring peace in and smooth functioning of the society,' noted Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial in a three-page order he dictated on Wednesday.

A three-judge bench, headed by the CJP and comprising Justice Ayesha A. Malik and Justice Athar Minallah, issued notices to all the provincial police officers, home secretaries and the Islamabad administration to furnish relevant data of past eight years on the criteria and pattern tabulated in a set of petitions moved against the alleged political interference in the transfer and posting in Punjab police.

In their petitions, Rana Tahir Saleem and Mohammad Javaid apprised the court of the alleged violation of Police Order 2002, mentioning that nine Lahore capital city police officers (CCPOs) and eight...