January 02, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 22, 1428

LAHORE, Jan 1: The Punjab government has extended the detention of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Aitzaz Ahsan for another 30 days, says his son Ali Ahsan.

Ahsan, who has been under house arrest since Nov 3, played a pivotal role in the movement for the restoration of deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. His detention was temporarily relaxed for three days on Eidul Azha, but was brought to an abrupt end after he was arrested from Chakri on his way to Islamabad.

The authorities feared he would have again stirred a movement like that of March 9 if he had succeeded in reaching Islamabad. Lawyers said Ahsan’s intention had been to offer his prayers in Islamabad with the deposed chief justice.

Ahsan was not allowed to attend Benazir Bhutto’s funeral prayers. He was first detained on Nov 3 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. Later on Dec 2, his detention was renewed for another month. The latest order, dated Dec 12, brings Ahsan another detention term for a month.