KARACHI: A former lawmaker belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Wednesday moved the Sindh High Court against his detention order issued under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.

Former MNA Kunwar Khalid Yunus, through his lawyer, filed a petition in the SHC stating that the provincial home department had passed an order in April for his arrest and detention under the MPO on a ‘fabricated’ accusation of his alleged association with the Altaf Hussain-led MQM, commonly called MQM-London.

The petitioner submitted that he was 78 years old and suffering from multiple diseases and completely confined to bed.

His lawyer argued that the impugned order was passed without any supporting and incriminating material about his association with the MQM-L while the petitioner had already denied involvement in any political activity especially from the platform of the MQM-L.

He further submitted that the home department issued the order on the basis of a purported intelligence report without verification and affording any opportunity to the petitioner for appearance and explanation.

Citing the home secretary, inspector general of police and SSP-South as respondents, the petitioner stated that he and his family members had approached the authorities concerned against the detention order, but to no avail.

The counsel submitted that the impugned order was issued in violation of the fundamental rights as guaranteed under Articles 9 (security of person) and 10 (safeguards as to arrest and detention) of the Constitution.

He pleaded to declare the detention order illegal, without jurisdiction and null and void.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2022