K-P challenges PTI worker releases

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has challenged in the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) the Peshawar High Court's decisions that set aside preventive detentions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance and directed that they not be arrested. The provincial government, acting through the chief secretary, has filed petitions against the PHC orders that declared the detentions under the MPO illegal and restrained authorities from making further arrests. It has also decided to approach the FCC against the high court's directions for the release of those already detained under the ordinance. A bench headed by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan will hear the petitions.

Sources said petitions have been filed in cases involving 51 PTI workers. Sources added that the provincial government formed under governor's rule also plans to approach the FCC against PHC rulings that set aside the detention of a further 150 PTI workers and cancelled their sureties.