The Lahore High Court (LHC), rejecting pleas from the fashion designer Khadija Shah’s counsel to suspend the Anti-Terrorism Court’s (ATC) order granting her transit remand to Balochistan police, directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to submit a response on how she was taken away despite her production order.
Justice Ali Baqar Najafi presided over a plea filed by Jehanzeb Amin, Khadija Shah’s husband, challenging the detention order of his wife.
A restraining order was sought against removing or transferring her from Lahore’s jurisdiction or within the jurisdiction of the LHC.
Earlier proceedings saw Justice Najafi reserving a decision after hearing detailed arguments from Shah’s counsel and the law officer.
Read: Quetta police gets two-day transit remand of Khadija Shah
On Monday, the LHC was expected to announce its decision, but developments occurred as the Punjab government withdrew her detention order. Subsequently, the ATC granted her two days’ transit remand to Balochistan police.
The LHC, made aware of this development, summoned Khadija Shah and the IGP at 2:30 pm. During proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that Khadija Shah’s detention order had expired on December 10, and her subsequent illegal custody raised questions.
IGP Dr Usman Anwar claimed that Punjab police were unaware of Khadija’s departure.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2023.
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