LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Saturday ordered the release of over 120 PTI workers from Faisalabad who were detained for alleged participation in the May 9 violent protests.

The order was issued by Justice Anwarul Haq Pannun on the petition filed by PTI leader Farrukh Habib.

Mr Habib’s counsel contended that the 123 PTI workers were arrested by the police from their homes and later their detention orders were issued under Section 3(1) of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

The counsel argued that police had no evidence to place before the deputy commissioner who was the competent authority to sign off the detention orders. He claimed that the detained workers were not involved in any anti-social activity.

After hearing the arguments, Justice Pannun suspended the detention orders and ordered the government to immediately release the workers. He also directed the provincial authorities to submit replies by next week.

14 workers remanded

Separately, a Lahore antiterrorism court remanded 14 PTI workers for nine days in the custody of Shadman police for allegedly attacking a police station during the May 9 protests.

The police produced 22 suspects before the judge, claiming that during the identification parade conducted in the jail, 14 of them were found to be involved in the attack.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2023