PHC summons Haripur DC for arresting PTI leader

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has summoned the deputy commissioner of Haripur for arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former provincial minister Yousaf Ayub under the Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.

A two-member bench consisting of Justice Shakeel Ahmed and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel heard the writ petition of the PTI leader.

Additional Advocate General Daniyal Asad Chamkani appeared on behalf of the provincial government.

The petitioner’s lawyers told the court that his client was a peaceful citizen and had served as provincial minister. He said that two brothers of the former minister were contesting the election. However, on the recommendation of the district police officer Haripur, the deputy commissioner arrested Yousaf Ayub under the 3MPO on February 2, which was illegal. He said that his client was canvassing for his brothers. He said there was no evidence against his client that he had disturbed the law and order.

He requested the court to declare the arrest of his client null and void and order the police to release him. He said the petitioner should be released as his family had been harassed in various ways to prevent them from campaigning in the elections which was an unconstitutional act. He said it was a violation of the Constitution and the law to detain any citizen without any evidence.

Justice Shakeel Ahmed said that why this case should not be sent to the Abbottabad bench of the PHC and the warrant of the petitioner should be suspended.

The additional advocate general told the court that the arrest of the PTI leader was made by the deputy commissioner under 3 MPO for which the district police Officer had formally sent a recommendation in which the stand was taken that there was a risk of disturbance of law and order due to the person in question so he should be arrested.

After hearing the arguments, the court summoned the deputy commissioner of Haripur.