LHC declares detention of PAT workers unlawful

Dawn.com Published September 19, 2014

LAHORE: Declaring the arrest of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers unlawful, the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the concerned authorities on Friday to apprise the court in written after releasing the arrested political activists, DawnNews reported.

A petition filed by the party of Dr Tahirul Qadri had challenged the illegal arrests of 56 workers.

During the proceeding today, the high court expressed annoyance over nonappearance of the Punjab home secretary. The additional home secretary appeared before the court in his place.

The court remarked that the Punjab government does not issue similar directives against hoarders and black marketers, whereas poor are detained without official orders in the name of disrupting peace.

The additional home secretary requested the court to divert all such applications to him and vowed to take a brisk action on them. However, rejecting the request, the LHC declared detention of the arrested workers illegal.

The court also directed for apprising it in writing after releasing the PAT workers.

PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri, along with thousands of his supporters, has been protesting against the governments of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for more than a month in front of the Parliament in Islamabad. He has pledged to continue his sit-in until the entire political system in the country is revamped.

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A Mangal

Sep 19, 2014 06:05pm

Photo tells all about democracy at its best where expression of opinion is basic mantra yet met with force? Suggest politician take some courses about basic tenants of democracy! I guarantee, this would do no harm but benefit the nation as whole!

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Darkanu

Sep 19, 2014 07:47pm

Salute to the courageous orders by the brave honorable judge.

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Imran

Sep 19, 2014 07:57pm

@A Mangal agreed. If imran Khan were in UK he would have been arrested for obstruction of justice. The law must be applied and we can start with the arrest of Imran Khan. This will also greatly benefit PTI and the nation.

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Sep 19, 2014 09:16pm

@Imran Before IK could have obstructed justice in UK, fair elections would have been held and there would be no need of protests.

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Imran

Sep 19, 2014 09:31pm

@mz My last comment on this is that law is ambivalent to reasons why someone commits a crime. An analogue to your argument is that a thief should not be prosecuted because his parents abused him as a child.

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Arisha G

Sep 19, 2014 11:10pm

@Imran so we can start with the cases of the Model town victims. Imran Khan's can follow when the rest of laws of the state are in order.

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Truth will Always Prevail

Sep 20, 2014 03:25am

Good but justice is not served yet. Those committed this heinous crime by breaking the law should be brought to justice.

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Gaf

Sep 20, 2014 11:48am

@Imran In UK any policeman lays a finger on anyone with warrant let alone hit them with baton or stick will get fired straight away. Any high level in charge will have justify or quit (resign). In UK the PM David Cameron will engage with the propresters, public and the media on a daily basis to comment and resolve issues immediately. He would order an independent inquiry immediately and law breaking culprits, ordinary public, police or government officer or high level MP will be brought to appear in court following day. Any controversial figure will certainly resign first and try defend later. No controversial MP will continue to serve in UK.

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Gaf

Sep 20, 2014 11:51am

MPs are workers of the tax paying public, hence the public has every right to sack them if they are not do there job or if the employer (tax paying public) is not happy with them. This is true democracy.

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A Mangal

Sep 20, 2014 10:57pm

@Imran. Comparing to UK isn't bad ideal type at all, however there is promlem where British PM had stated wrong facts in the parliament and was caught, he/she would have quit in "New York second". Their history is full of such instances; if same standards are applied at homeland, Mr Imran Khan would have surely benefited without being arrested, and the nation too could be much better as you have insinuated by citing UK standards.

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