PHC stops govt from arresting PTI leaders

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday restrained the government from arresting the former lawmakers and leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) until Thursday and issued a notice to it.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Ibrahim Khan and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim was hearing writ petitions filed against the repeated arrests of the PTI leaders and former lawmakers. 

PTI leader Asad Qaiser, former lawmaker Mujahid Khan and Swat Mayar Shahid Ali had filed the petitions. Additional Advocate General Danial Asad Chamkani Advocate and others appeared for the government while Syed Sikandar Shah and other lawyers represented the petitioners. The law officer of the provincial government informed the court that advocate general KP would present arguments in this case, but he was appearing before the Supreme Court via video link in another case, therefore, the proceedings should be adjourned. At this, the court adjourned the hearing until Wednesday. The court also issued a notice to the provincial government in the case of the former Member National Assembly from Malakand Junaid Akbar, who was arrested recently. His lawyer told the court that his client was rearrested after securing bail in one case.