LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday referred petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek for release of their activists to Punjab home secretary with directions to decide the dispute within two days and submit a report.

Petitioners’ counsel told the court that detention of the two parties’ workers continued without any lawful justification.

He said a majority of the detained workers belonged to the flood-hit areas of Punjab. He asked the court to direct the government to release all the detained workers of both parties.

A provincial law officer, opposing the arguments, said the petitioners did not approach the authorities concerned before moving the court.

Justice James Joseph disposed of the petitions and directed the homes secretary to decide the matter within two days.

Meanwhile, Justice Arshad Mahmood Tabassum issued a notice to Punjab police inspector general on a contempt petition challenging arrest of PTI and PAT workers on political grounds.

Advocate Gohar Nawaz Sindhu contended that an LHC full bench had restrained police from arresting the parties’ workers.

However, he said the workers were being arrested in violation of the order. He asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the government authorities and police.

Justice Tabassum adjourned further hearing till Sept 22 and directed the IG to submit a reply.

Published in Dawn, September 17th , 2014