PESHAWAR, Nov 29: Dismissing the writ petition of Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad, a two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court on Wednesday declared his detention by the provincial government as legal and in accordance with the law.
The court directed the provincial government to provide proper medical treatment to the petitioner and allow his family members to visit him at the hospital. Moreover, the high court ruled that the record provided by the government proved that the petitioner had acted in a manner which was prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of order.
The bench comprising Justice Khalida Rachied and Justice Qaim Jan Khan pronounced its short order after completion of arguments by advocate Arif Khan, appearing for the petitioner and advocate general, NWFP, Qazi Rasheedul Haq.
Provincial amir of JI, Professor Ibraheem informed Dawn that they would move the Supreme Court of Pakistan against the order of the high court. He added that after going through the detailed order they would be in a much better position to comment over the verdict.
Qazi had challenged his detention in Tanda Dam rest house, Kohat, under the MPO Ordinance by the provincial government through an order on Nov 6. At present, he is undergoing medical treatment at Lady Reading Hospital here as he is suffering from heart ailment.
At the very outset of the proceedings, the court inquired from the advocate general whether he had consulted the provincial governor whether the government intended to extend detention period of the petitioner expiring on Dec 5.
Mr Haq informed the court that the government was willing to release the petitioner provided he furnished a bond of good conduct in future. The petitioner’s counsel opposed furnishing of any bond by the petitioner, stating that he had not done anything wrong and the court should decide the petition on merit.
