LHC reserves judgement on harassment plea against PML-N leaders

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday reserved its verdict on a plea challenging First Information Reports (FIRs), arrests and harassment of PML-N leaders and workers by the provincial police.

During the hearing presided over by Justice Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmed, a report was submitted on behalf of the province's top police official and the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO). The report stated that any illegal harassment has neither been nor will be caused to the MPAs, MNAs or other leaders and workers of the PML-N by police officials.

The report further claimed that no PML-N worker has been arrested nor any raid conducted in connection with the Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) rally on December 13. "The allegations levelled by the petitioner are false and baseless."

As the court proceedings commenced, advocate Rafaqat Ali Dogar, implored the court that the police has prepared a list of PML-N leaders and workers who are being arrested to foil the PDM rally.

"They are being politically victimized," he claimed.

Another petitioner’s counsel implored the court that the government is bent upon preventing the PDM’s gathering on December 13 by implicating the party leaders and workers in false FIRs. He claimed that the government is creating fear amongst the public to restrain them from assembling at the rally by citing the spread of Covid-19.

Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Awais dismissed the impression that false FIRs are being registered against PML-N leaders and workers merely to restrain them from attending the PDM gathering.  “Neither will someone be illegally harassed nor  any illegal arrest made," said the AGP.

"No one will be spared if found violating SOPs prescribed for Covid-19," he added.