Illegal detention: Man challenges arrest under MPO

Says he is not a political party worker

ISLAMABAD: Justice Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Kasi admitted a petition for regular hearing on Friday where a man has challenged his detention under maintenance of public order (MPO). Petitioner Muhammad Bashir, a resident of Tarlai, has challenged his detention by the Islamabad police, who claimed he is a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf worker.

The petition will be heard on Monday. The petitioner’s counsel Haroon Rashid said that on August 13, two Shehzad Town police officials asked him to drop them off at Shehzad Town Police Station.

After getting to the police station, the cops asked Bashir to come inside and have a cup of tea with them. After he went in, they booked him under MPO and put him under illegal detention, Rashid argued.

The counsel said the petitioner has no ties with PTI or any other political party. Rashid argues that the police were holding his client to create the illusion that they were doing their work with efficiency.

He added that the police had assured his family that they would release him, but he remains in custody.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th,2014.