Lahore High Court Declares Unlawful Detention of PTI Workers, Demands Immediate Release

In a significant judicial ruling, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has declared the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers as illegal and has ordered the concerned authorities to release them without delay. The nine-page order was issued by Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid, who also nullified the arrest of PTI core member Yasmin Rashid.

The court's directive specifically applies to PTI workers and leaders from various districts in Punjab, encompassing Lahore, Wazirabad, Jhang, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Sialkot, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujarat, Nankana Sahib, Gujranwala, and Narowal. This ruling follows the arrest of PTI workers in the aftermath of the violent incidents that unfolded on May 9. During that time, PTI supporters engaged in attacks on military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commanders House and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, in response to the detention of PTI chairman Imran Khan on corruption charges.

The Lahore High Court concluded that the government lacked any valid justification for the detention of PTI workers, as there was no prevailing law and order situation at the time of their arrest. Furthermore, the court noted that no criminal cases had been registered against the PTI workers, emphasizing that they had been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960—a preventive detention law.

In its ruling, the court highlighted that the government's actions constituted a violation of the fundamental rights of the PTI workers, who are entitled to immediate release. This order represents a significant victory for the PTI and poses a setback for the government. Consequently, it is likely to exacerbate tensions between the PTI and the government, potentially leading to further protests and demonstrations by the PTI.

The Lahore High Court's order serves as a crucial reminder of the paramount importance of upholding the rule of law in Pakistan. The unlawful detention of PTI workers and the government's actions demonstrate a clear violation of legal procedures. The court's ruling upholds the principles of the rule of law and sends a resolute message to the government, emphasizing that it must operate within the bounds of the law, rather than considering itself above it.