PHC seeks response on Sohail Afridi’s detention, KP emergency
The Peshawar High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the federal government, attorney-general, police and other authorities on constitutional petitions challenging the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the deployment of security forces, and on another plea seeking the recovery of deposed Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The high court has sought a response from the authorities within two days on Afridi’s detention, while further hearing of the petitions challenging the emergency and governor’s rule has been adjourned until November 10.
During the hearing of the petition seeking Afridi’s recovery, Justice Syed Arshad Ali asked about his whereabouts.
The petitioner’s counsel told the court that Afridi had been detained following the imposition of governor’s rule and emergency, and that, according to reports, he was being held at the state guest house at one of two possible locations.
After hearing the arguments, the court directed the relevant authorities to submit their formal response within two days.
Separately, a bench comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali heard the main petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.
The petition seeks to declare unconstitutional and set aside the presidential proclamation issued on October 11, the imposition of emergency and governor’s rule, and the orders for the deployment of the military.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the Constitution requires approval of a resolution by the provincial assembly before an emergency can be imposed.
He maintained that governor’s rule had been enforced across the province despite an improvement in the situation in Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan.
Speaking to the media after the proceedings, Barrister Gohar alleged that the elected provincial government had been dismissed under the pretext of combating terrorism and that 12 PTI members of the National Assembly and 14 members of the provincial assembly had been detained.
He demanded the immediate release of the detained chief minister and the other lawmakers.