LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the Punjab chief secretary to furnish record of detention orders issued or later withdrawn under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) after the May 9 riots.

Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafiq was hearing a petition of PTI leader Zainab Umair challenging the alleged abuse of powers by the deputy commissioners (DCs) in the province to detain the leaders and workers of her party.

Advocate Azhar Siddique, on behalf of the petitioner, argued before the court that the government issued wholesale detention orders of the PTI leaders and workers under sections 3 and 16 of the MPO in wake of the May 9 episode.

He said the DCs at the behest of the provincial government misused their powers and issued detention orders for hundreds of political leaders/activists affiliated to the petitioner’s party without any reason.

DCs misused their powers and issued detention orders for hundreds of political leaders, court told

He questioned raids at the residences of the workers/leaders and ransacking of their properties, if the purpose of the orders was preventive detention.

The lawyer stated that the courts imposed fines on the DCs in some cases for issuing baseless detention orders.

He pointed out that the Islamabad High Court had already declared the use of MPO unlawful in the capital territory.

He said the government failed to submit its report despite a direction issued by the court.

Justice Rafiq directed the chief secretary to furnish the details of the detention orders issued or later withdrawn under the MPO since the May 9 protests.

The judge adjourned the hearing till June 10.

Notices to the offices of the attorney general for Pakistan and advocate general of Punjab have already been issued in this case.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2024