The Punjab government has told the Lahore High Court that 3,511 of the 4,770 “criminals” detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) since the May 9 riots in the province have been released.
The report filed by the Chief Secretary on Monday revealed that 3,232 detention orders were issued against 4,770 miscreants in the province.
It said, 3,511 prisoners were released after their detention orders were withdrawn.
The Additional Advocate General submitted a report in response to a petition seeking records of detention orders issued or withdrawn under the MPO after the May 9 riots.
The petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Zainab Umeer has also challenged the misuse of powers by the deputy commissioners (DCs) of the province to detain her party leaders and workers. .
The report added that the provincial government delegated its powers under Section 26 of the MPO Ordinance 1960 to Deputy Commissioners through a notification in 2017 to issue detention orders with reasonable restrictions.
Advocate Azhar Siddique, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the government is targeting the PTI as four detention orders have been issued in Rawalpindi recently.
Justice Muhammad Amjad Rafique adjourned the hearing of the case till June 28 and summoned Advocate General Punjab in his personal capacity.
The petitioner had said that the government had issued orders for the detention of PTI leaders and workers under Sections 3 and 16 of the MPO in the wake of the May 9 incident.
He said that on the behest of the provincial government, the Deputy Commissioners misused their powers and issued detention orders against hundreds of political leaders and activists associated with the petitioner’s party without any reason.
Zainab Umeer raised the question that if the purpose of these orders is preventive detention, then why were the residences of workers and leaders raided and their property damaged?
He pointed out that the Islamabad High Court had already declared the use of MPOs in the capital’s premises illegal.
