The Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared the detention of all individuals in 11 districts of Punjab under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) in the wake of May 9 violence as null and void and ordered their prompt release, if they were not wanted in any other case.

The order was issued by Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid on petitions challenging the arrest of activists and other people under the MPO.

“The unpleasant and surprise events of May 9 under the shadow of unbridled mob have defaced the peaceful and democratic image of the country and it was the responsibility of the government to arrange for law and order, but not in a way as resorted on the fateful,” according to the judgement issued by the court.