SHC orders release of MQM-London workers

Seeks compliance report within 24 hours

KARACHI:

Sindh High Court has ordered the release of detained MQM London workers under MPO within 24 hours and sought the implementation report.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry and Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi heard the pleas of MQM London workers.

Additional home secretary appeared in the curt. Assistant Advocate General Sindh submitted the reply in the court. A reply was also submitted by IG Sindh and home secretary.

The government counsel submitted that the court had inquired whether the MPO order had the approval of the cabinet. The Sindh government believes that the MPO orders were issued in accordance with the law. The orders have constitutional protection.

The court inquired who has the authority to issue MPO orders? The government advocate stated that it is the discretion of the Sindh government to delegate the authority to issue MPO.

Justice Chaudhry remarked that they should review the law, this law has been amended. Nowhere in the law is it stated that IG Sindh and home secretary have this power. This power can only be delegated to the magistrate.

Counsel for the petitioners, Johar Abid Advocate, submitted that MPO can be implemented depending on the nature of offence.

The petitioner's counsel argued that the rally was taken out in Korangi while the arrests were made in various parts of Sindh. So far, 500 workers have been arrested from across the province.

Johar Abid Advocate has mentioned that there is no justification for issuing MPO orders and appealed the court to suspend them.

The court declared the MPO orders totally invalid and ordered to release all the accused within 24 hours and submit the implementation report.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2023.