Lahore High Court Declares Detention of PTI Workers Illegal and Orders Their Release

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers is illegal and has ordered the authorities to release them. In a nine-page order, Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid directed the release of PTI workers and leaders from 11 districts in Punjab, including Lahore, Wazirabad, Jhang, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, and Narowal. The order also declared the arrest of PTI core member Yasmin Rashid null and void.

The PTI has faced the repercussions of the state's actions after its enraged workers attacked military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commanders House and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, following the arrest of their leader, Imran Khan, in a corruption case on May 9, which was referred to as "Black Day" by the army.

The court order expressed its concern over the unrest that followed the arrest, stating that what started as agitation and demonstrations turned into an unruly mob that caused damage in different parts of the country. The court criticized the government for hastily and illogically dragging ordinary citizens into criminal litigation without proper evidence or application of the law.

The order highlighted that the government had ample time to gather evidence and initiate criminal proceedings if there were genuine criminal activities, rather than resorting to preventive detention without registering criminal cases. The court emphasized that maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the government, but it should be done in accordance with due process and access to justice, as guaranteed by Article 10-A of the Constitution.

The court also criticized the government for tarnishing the peaceful and democratic image of the country through its actions on May 9 and stated that riots should be suppressed using the appropriate legal provisions, rather than detaining citizens without proper justification under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.

The Lahore High Court's order highlights the need for the government to uphold the principles of justice, due process, and the rule of law while maintaining law and order in the country.