PAT workers detained : ‘Arguments must be completed by next hearing’

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday ordered a provincial law officer to conclude his arguments on a petition, challenging the detention of 72 Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers, by the next court hearing.

Assistant Advocate General Wali Muhammad told Justice James Joseph that the government had detained several PAT workers over suspicion of involvement in anti-state activities. He said that the government had the authority and powers to detain people suspected of involvement in such activities.

He sought time to submit the exact number of arrested workers.

Justice Joseph adjourned the hearing until Tuesday (today).

Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry had filed the petition on behalf of the PAT. He said the government had been victimising party workers on political grounds. He said they had not been produced in court.

He requested the court to order their release.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2014.