PHC grants stay on Mohsin Dawar’s arrest until March 21

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has intervened in the case involving Mohsin Dawar, the leader of the National Democratic Movement (NDM) and former National Assembly member, temporarily staying his arrest until March 21. The court has also directed the provincial government to provide a detailed response to the matter.

A two-member bench of the PHC, comprised of Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Waqar Ahmed, presided over the hearing of Dawar’s writ petition on Monday. Legal representatives Yousuf Orakzai and Sangeen Khan Advocate appeared on behalf of Dawar during the proceedings.

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Dawar’s petition argued that he was a former MNA and was conducting peaceful protest in Miranshah Bazar against the alleged rigging in the February 8 elections. However, he claimed that law enforcement agencies resorted to gunfire, resulting in the deaths of four of his colleagues and injuries to three others, including himself.

The NDM leader alleged that instead of registering a case based on their complaint, they were falsely implicated as accused when they approached the police. Emphasising his commitment to peaceful protest, Dawar lamented the interruption of their demonstration by gunfire.

Expressing concern over a potential re-arrest, Dawar highlighted his lack of awareness regarding the number of cases filed against him. He requested the court to provide him with this information, citing his right under Article 19-A.

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In response to please of Dawar’s lawyers, citing his serious injuries, the court granted a temporary stay on his arrest until March 21. Additionally, the court instructed the provincial government to furnish a response to the matter.

Last month, Dawar and several of his party members sustained injuries during a protest in the Miranshah area of North Waziristan. Police reportedly opened fire on the protesters, who were demonstrating against the delay in election results in NA-40 constituency, from where Dawar contested the elections.