LHC seeks Punjab government reply over Malik Ishaq detention

Ishaq says that he had been granted bail in all his cases, however the Punjab government detained him without cause.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought a reply from Punjab government over the detention of Malik Muhammad Ishaq, founder of the banned outfit Lashkar-e- Jhangvi (LeJ) and the alleged mastermind of attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 at Liberty Chowk.

Ishaq was allegedly involved in 44 cases involving 70 homicides. Courts acquitted him in 34 of the cases before granting him bail in the remaining 10 cases. He was released from Kot Lakhpat prison on July 14 after 14 years of imprisonment as Supreme Court had granted bail in case of attack on Sri Lankan team.

(Read: Court releases terror kingpin, alleged killer of 70)

On October 10, the Punjab government had approached the Supreme Court for cancellation of Malik Ishaq’s bail but the court dismissed the government’s plea.

(Read: SC dismisses review plea against Malik Ishaq’s bail)

Later Punjab government detained Ishaq in a Rahim Yar Khan prison for 10 days under the Maintenance of Public Order which was extended further for 60 days on October 25.

In his petition, Ishaq pointed out that he had already spent 14 years in jail as an under trial prisoner. He said he had been acquitted and granted bails in all cases but the Punjab government, without having any incriminating evidence against him had issued a detention order for him. He pleaded the court to set aside his detention order.

The Lahore High Court has asked the Punjab government to file a reply within the next fortnight.