PHC seeks case record of PTI workers
A lawyer walks past in front of the Peshawar High Court building. Photo: AFP
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed to present the cases and records against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers arrested under Section 3 of Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) after the violent incidents of May 9 and 10, declaring that if the record against the arrested persons is not presented, they will be granted bail.
After PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court on May 9 by the paramilitary Rangers in a graft case, alleged PTI workers ransacked public property and military installations.
A division member bench comprising Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel and Justice Shahid Khan heard the case.
As the hearing of the case began, the petitioner's lawyers, Shah Faisal Utmankhel and Alam Khan Adenzai, appeared in the court.
They apprised the court that after the incidents of arson on May 9 and 10, one PTI worker was arrested. The administration arrested 23 workers from Shangla and Chitral under 3 MPO. In Chitral and Shangla, there was no incident of damage to public or private property, however, 23 workers of the PTI had been detained from these areas and it was not yet known what the charges against them were.
Justice Miankhel asked about the charges against the arrested persons, saying that something should be on record. “How long will they be kept in jail … will they be released after 30 days?”
The petitioner's lawyer, Utmankhel, apprised the court that they had received the government's response but they were not submitting it on file.
The lawyers requested the court that if the government did not produce the records, the order of 3 MPO should be suspended.
The division bench directed to present the records against the arrested accused within three days, declaring that if the records were not presented in the court by Aug 3, the arrested persons would be granted bail.
PTI worker sent on judicial remand for May 9 vandalism
Judicial Magistrate Shafiqul Aman of Peshawar on Monday sent Younis Zaheer, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker, on a 14-day judicial remand for on the charges of vandalism.
During the court appearance, the investigation officer apprised the court that the accused was a PTI activist and was allegedly involved in the vandalism incidents that occurred on May 9 and 10, adding that further investigation was required to establish his role in the incidents.
Despite the IO’s request for custody, the court rejected it and instead, sent the accused to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.
Separately, a Peshawar Anti-Terrorism Special Court remanded the suspect, Abu Zar, who was arrested for allegedly facilitating the Ali Masjid Khyber suicide blast, to the CTD for 15 days for investigation.
During the court hearing, the IO apprised the court about the accusations against Zar, stating that he was believed to have played a role in facilitating the Ali Masjid suicide blast. Due to the need for further investigation, the IO requested physical remand of the accused.
The court granted the request, referring Zar to the CTD on a 15-day physical remand.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2023.