Peshawar, Oct 21 (AP) A Pakistani high court on Wednesday sought reports from the provincial police chief and senior government officials within 10 days on the whereabouts and legal status of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Sohail Afridi, following a petition alleging his illegal detention.
Afridi and several other leaders of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party were taken into custody immediately after an emergency was imposed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on October 11 over the deteriorating law and order situation.
In a written order, the Peshawar High Court directed the inspector general of police, capital city police officer, chief secretary and home secretary to clarify whether Afridi had been arrested or named in any criminal case.
It directed them to submit a report on his whereabouts and legal status within 10 days.
The court adjourned further hearing of the case until November 3.
The petition was filed by Afridi’s brother, Muhammad Amir, who sought his recovery, contending that the former chief minister was being held illegally.
The petitioner argued that neither an emergency nor the imposition of governor’s rule could justify Afridi’s alleged unlawful detention.
According to the petition, Afridi was allegedly abducted by armed and masked individuals in the presence of the Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).
(PTI News)
