A three-member review board of the Lahore High Court on Friday denied an extension in detention to Malik Muhammad Ishaq, leader of a banned outfit, and ordered his release. The board headed by Justice Nasir Saeed Sheikh with Justice Manzoor Ahmed Malik and Justice Sheikh Ahmed Farooq held in-camera proceedings and heard the detained leader personally and the government as well. Rahim Yar Khan District Police Officer (DPO) produced Ishaq before the board.
DPO requested the board to extend the detention of Ishaq. The board members observed that the police had no concrete evidence against the detainee. Ishaq told the board that he was not involved in any illegal or terrorist activity. He urged the board to end his detention so that he could live as a free citizen. The review board after hearing both sides refused to extend the detention of Malik Ishaq.
Ishaq was involved in 44 cases involving 70 murders. Courts had acquitted him in 34 cases and granted him bail in the remaining ten. He was released from Kot Lakhpat jail on July 14, 2011 after 14 years as Supreme Court had granted bail in case of attack on Sri Lankan team. Later, the government approached the SC for the cancellation of his bail but the court dismissed the plea. The government detained him in Rahim Yar Khan jail for 10 days under Maintenance of Public Order Act but it was extended for 60 days on October 25 last and the same was extended on December 16, 2011 for a month.
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