LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday directed the Punjab police to release unlawfully detained workers of the PML-N and granted bail to 237 others allegedly arrested for violation of election code of conduct.

Acting Chief Justice Muhammad Anwarul Haq was hearing a petition moved by the PML-N Lawyers Forum against the arrest of party workers ahead of the arrival of party’s supremo Nawaz Sharif at Lahore airport.

The provincial home secretary, inspector general of police and the inspector general of prisons made their appearance in the court following notices.

Punjab Advocate General Imtiaz Rasheed Siddiqui told the court that 141 people had been detained under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) while 237 others had been arrested for violating code of conduct announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

IGP Kaleem Imam told the court that the arrests were made following threats of terrorism activities in the province.

Justice Haq expressed dismay over the non-release of the workers arrested in a bailable offence. The court was there to protect the rights of the citizens, the judge said.

He reminded the IGP that the police acts should not reflect any partiality towards any political party.

Justice Haq directed the police to release the unlawfully arrested workers of the PML-N and issued bail orders for the 237 others arrested for violating the ECP code.

The judge also directed the home secretary to decide representation of 141 other arrested workers by Saturday (today).

Earlier, a panel of lawyers appeared before the court and contended that the caretaker government in Punjab and the police arrested a large number of PML-N workers and detained them illegally. They said the police refused to disclose any information regarding the whereabouts of the arrested workers.

They alleged the police also threatened the families of PML-N’s arrested workers with dire consequences in case they approached the court.

The lawyers argued that the workers had been arrested without any reason and in blatant disregard of the law. They asked the court to order immediate release of the these workers and stop the police from causing harassment to their families.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2018