SHC seeks comments on plea challenging MQM-A leader’s detention

The Sindh High Court issued notices on Friday seeking comments from federal and provincial law officers, the provincial home secretary and other respondents on a petition challenging the detention of a Rabita Committee member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Altaf.

The petitioner’s counsel said Dr Hasan Zafar Arif, a member of the Rabita Committee recently constituted by MQM founder Altaf Hussain, was allegedly picked up by personnel of law enforcement agencies from outside the Karachi Press Club on October 22 and later detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

He said his client was again detained for 30 days under the MPO though he was suffering from various ailments and required medical treatment in hospital. He contended that Dr Arif’s detention was illegal and requested the court to order his release.

After the preliminary hearing of the petition, the court issued notices to the federal and provincial law officers and other respondents and called their comments on December 7.

 

Sharjeel’s plea 

The Sindh High Court directed the National Accountability Bureau and others to file comments on a petition against the placement of Sharjeel Inam Memon’s name on the exit control list.

The PPP leader, who has been living in self-exile in London for over a year after law-enforcement agencies launched a crackdown against politicians and bureaucrats over corruption, moved the court for an injunction against any coercive action by NAB as well as for the removal of his name from the ECL.

NAB had earlier informed the court that Memon, a former provincial information minister, was also facing a probe over charges the alleged unauthorised lease of forest land to private persons in 2009-2010 in the Hyderabard district. 

The PPP leader is also facing charges of involvement in the illegal allotment of state land in Malir as local bodies minister, and NAB complained he did not respond to several call-up notices issued by it. 

The bureau submitted that the petitioner was also facing a corruption reference of Rs5 billion through the award of advertisements of the awareness campaigns of the provincial government in the electronic media.