PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court on Thursday granted protective bail to former MNA and chairman of National Democratic Movement Mohsin Dawar and directed law enforcement agencies not to arrest him till January 15 in cases registered against him.

A bench consisting of PHC Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Wiqar Ahmad directed Mr Dawar to approach relevant courts for getting relief by that date.

Mr Dawar had filed a petition, seeking details about cases registered against him by the federal and provincial law enforcement agencies (LEAs). His counsel Sangeen Khan contended that scores of fabricated cases were registered against the petitioner and authorities were not providing information to him about the cases.

He stated that one of the cases was registered against the petitioner of a firing incident at the time of general elections, during which he had also received injuries. However, he added, the petitioner was not aware about other cases.

Bench also sets aside detention order of PTM leader in Swabi

An additional advocate general informed the bench that the petitioner was charged in 17 cases registered by counter-terrorism department (CTD) and police in different regions. He added that in some of the cases, provisions of Anti-Terrorism Act were also included.

Similarly, a deputy attorney general, Ubaidullah Anwar, informed the bench that a single case was registered against the petitioner by Federal Investigation Agency, whereas an inquiry was also in progress against him.

Sangeen Khan requested the bench to grant protective bail to the petitioner so that he could appear before relevant courts. He added that as there were cases in a large number against him, therefore, the bail may be granted for enough duration so that he could visit respective areas for surrendering before the relevant court.

Meanwhile, the bench set aside detention order of a leader of banned Pasthun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM), Sikander Ali, issued by the deputy commissioner of Swabi district under Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.

The bench, while ordering release of the petitioner from prison, directed him to submit bonds of good behaviour to the tune of Rs300,000 each with the deputy commissioner.

Advocate Daris Khan appeared for the detainee and stated that his client was a member of PTM. He said that the deputy commissioner had issued his detention orders accusing him for campaigning for Pashtun Qaumi Jirga, which was held from Oct 11 till Oct 13.

He stated that his detention was illegal and in violation of different provisions of the Constitution as he had not posed any threat to public order in the district.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2024