IHC orders inquiry against police officers over unlawful arrests

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered an inquiry against law enforcement officers involved in unlawful arrests in violation of legal principles, and granted interim bail to a former lawmaker facing two cases.

In a written order, IHC judge Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb said that the Islamabad police had disregarded the legal principles set by the Lahore High Court and continued to make arrests without following due process.

“The interior secretary should conduct an inquiry against the officers involved in unlawful arrests in contravention of the law,” the order said adding that the arrests were made despite the indignation expressed by courts.

The IHC also granted interim bail for seven days to Ali Wazir, a former member of the National Assembly and a leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM).

Wazir is facing two cases related to his participation in PTM rallies in Tarnol and Taxila, where he allegedly made anti-state speeches. The court restrained the Islamabad police from arresting Wazir or abetting in his arrest.

The court ordered Wazir to appear before the relevant courts in Tarinol and Taxila by September 26.

A copy of the decision has been sent to the interior ministry, the Islamabad police chief, and the Federal Investigation Agency’s director-general.