The Lahore High Court here on Monday issued notices to Punjab government and inspector general of police for September 18 in response to a petition filed by a local leader of PTI Zubair Khan Niazi. The petitioner has sought the initiation of contempt proceedings against respondents for arresting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in violation of a judicial order.
Earlier, the petitioner counsel Shiraz Zaka argued that the LHC had restrained police from extending any illegal harassment to the workers. However, he said, raids were being conducted at houses of the party workers and their families were being harassed and humiliated.
The counsel said workers wanted to participate in 'Azadi march' at Islamabad to exercise their constitutional right to hold a peaceful protest. He said police committed contempt of court by arresting workers. He asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the respondents and order them to release the detained workers immediately. The court also adjourned another petition against alleged detention of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers as law officer concluded his arguments. Assistant advocate general Wali Muhammad argued that the government detained the PAT workers owing to their possible involvement in anti-state activities. He said the government had the powers to detain any person for his likely involvement in illegal activities. The law officer, however, sought time to submit the exact numbers of the arrested workers. The court adjourned the hearing for Tuesday (today) and asked the officer to come up with a complete record.