Gwadar police arrest Haq Do Tehreek chief

Four days after announcing his plans to head to Gwadar in order to surrender, Haq Do Tehreek (HDT) leader Maulana Hidayatur Rehman was arrested on Friday after he showed up at a local court over the charges killing of a policeman.
A heavy police contingent was present outside the local court to arrest three others along with the HDT leader.

Police had registered FIR against Rehman and other leaders of the movement including the former caretaker provincial minister Mir Naveed Kalmati for causing damages to public and private properties.

However, the charges were vehemently denied by Rehman and Mir Naveed Kalmati.

The arrest has also drawn severe condemnations from the legal fraternity for taking Rehman as a prisoner within the premises of the court.

"Police violated the sanctity of the court", Munir Ahmed Kakar, a senior lawyers leader, told The Express Tribune via telephone. Mr Kakar informed that Balochistan Bar Council (BBC) has announced the boycott of courts against the arrest of the HDT leader from the premises of the court on Saturday (today).

Our lawyers would not appear before courts as a protest, he announced.
Meanwhile, Rehman was shifted to Gwadar police station amid tight security as his supporters raised slogans against the district administration and provincial government, accusing them of using force against the peaceful political workers.

The HDT has been protesting against the provincial government for the last more than two months. The HDT has been demanding an end to illegal fishing/trawling and unnecessary check posts.

Police have already shifted 13 leaders of the HDT to Quetta. The crimes branch police Quetta has already taken a 10-day remand of Hussain Wadela and 12 other leaders of the HDT.

There were no immediate words on behalf of the provincial government with regard to the arrest of Maulana Hidayatur Rehman.