QUETTA, Aug 28: A division bench of the Balochistan high court has summoned the district police officer (DPO), Khuzdar, in a contempt application for not releasing the Balochistan National Party (Mengal) leader despite a court order.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice Amanullah Khan Yasinzai and Justice Akhtar Zaman Malghani, on Tuesday ordered the DPO Agha Babar Gul to appear in person before the court in the next hearing.

The applicant, former MNA Abdur Rauf Mengal, had stated through his counsel Kamran Murtaza that the high court had declared the detention under MPO 3 as unlawful on August 20 and ordered his release but the DPO did not comply with the court order.

The applicant was arrested by police on July 6 under MPO 3.