ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Mohammad Anwar Khan Kasi on Wednesday ordered police to quash 16 First Information Reports (FIRs), registered in 14 different police stations against those who allegedly violated Section 144 of the CrPC.

Since September 13, police have arrested around a thousand people, charged under Section 188 of the CrPC, entitled ‘Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant’. Most of the accused were picked up for pillion riding, which is otherwise banned under Section 144.

The court had already ordered the release of about 650 individuals who were taken into custody for violating Section 144.

On Wednesday, when the IHC resumed hearing a petition filed by PTI lawyer Niazullah Niazi, the counsel argued that under sections 195 and 191-A of the CrPC, only the district magistrate could lodge a complaint against violators of Section 144. He pointed out that in all 16 FIRs, the station house officers (SHO) of each respective police station were the complainants.

Advocate Niazi said despite the courts observations, police have continued to arrest PTI supporters, which is tantamount to the contempt of court.

After hearing the arguments and examining the FIRs, IHC Chief Justice Kasi ordered all FIRs registered under Section 188 to be quashed.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2014