ATTOCK, June 7: Fourteen local political activists of the opposition have been sent to Mianwali and Jhelum jails for a period of three months, sources said here on Thursday. The police had arrested the activists on Tuesday in an effort to restrict them from joining journalists in their protest against the controversial Pemera ordinance.

The activists included PPP leader Syed Azmat Bukhari, PML-N activists Waheed Murad and Mohammad Ismail from Attock; four PPP activists Qazi Gulzar and Akhtar Butt from Fatehjhang, Haji Shafqat and Sajjad from Hasanbadal; eight Jammat-i-Islami (JI) activists Allah Bukhash and Dr Mohammad Aslam Fahim from Fatehjhang, Arif from Jand, Haji Mohammad Anwar, Haji Mujadid Khan, Ejaz Hassan and Amjad from Hazro, and Iqbal Khan from Hasanabdal.

Meanwhile, local political leaders and lawyers have condemned the arrest of the activists and demanded their immediate release.

They criticized the government for ‘harassing’ peaceful political workers and opposition leaders instead of taking any wise step to resolve the ongoing judicial crises. They advised the rulers to avoid further political confrontation.

Judge bid farewell: The District Bar Association (DBA) Wednesday night hosted a farewell dinner in honour of the outgoing District and Sessions Judge Chaudhry Mohammad Younis.

Besides a large number of lawyers, judicial officials and officers of the district administration were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the outgoing judge said during his tenure, the working relationship between the bar and the bench remained ideal that ultimately contributed towards the resolution of the judicial matters.

“I will always remember these golden memories and will never forget them,” he aimed.

He also lauded the performance of the DBA Attock.

Earlier, DBA President Rana Afsar Ali Khan hailed the services of Chaudhry Mohammad Younis, and said he dispensed justice to the people by deciding nearly 3,600 cases on merit.

The judge had been transferred and appointed as Judge Accountability Court No. 3 Rawalpindi, whereas no one has replaced him so far.