Wednesday, February 12, 2025
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HomeTop NewsAftab Iqbal released, Imran Riaz to be presented in LHC

Aftab Iqbal released, Imran Riaz to be presented in LHC

Release of Aftab Iqbal and presenting of Imran Riaz at LHC

LAHORE: On Friday, the Lahore High Court’s Chief Justice, Muhammad Ameer Bhatti, ordered the immediate release of well-known anchorperson Aftab Iqbal by suspending the ‘detention notification’ and instructed concerned authorities to effect his release. Journalist Imran Riaz Khan, another vocal supporter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, was also ordered to be presented in court by 6:00 PM the same day.

The arrests of the two journalists, who were both apprehended on May 9, had occurred in the wake of the government’s crackdown on PTI supporters following the arrest of former premier Imran Khan. According to reports, Imran Riaz Khan was apprehended at Sialkot Airport for his purported involvement in instigating violence during the confrontations between PTI supporters and security forces, while Aftab Iqbal was detained from his residence in Lahore.

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) had issued a statement condemning the arrests, emphasizing that freedom of expression should not be compromised and demanding the immediate release of the journalists.

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Chief Justice Bhatti was presiding over two petitions challenging the unlawful detention of the journalists. During the proceedings, Aftab Iqbal was presented before the court, and Chief Justice Bhatti questioned the legal basis for his detention. The law officer explained that the deputy commissioner had ordered his custody under Section 3MPO due to the current law and order situation, arguing that the deputy commissioner have the authority to detain anyone under the above-said law. The Chief Justice ordered Aftab Iqbal’s release by suspending the detention notification and sought replies from relevant authorities for the next hearing.

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During the court proceedings, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar revealed that journalist Imran Riaz Khan had also been detained under Section 3MPO but had already been released from prison. The deputy commissioner had ordered his release after he gave assurances that he would not act against the Constitution. In response to this, the Chief Justice Bhatti directed the Inspector General of Prisons to present Imran Riaz Khan before the court by 6:00 PM on the same day.

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Regarding Imran Riaz Khan, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr Usman Anwar informed the court that the journalist had also been detained under Section 3MPO and had been released from jail. The deputy commissioner had ordered his release after he assured that he would not act against the Constitution. Upon hearing this, Chief Justice Bhatti ordered the Inspector General of Prisons to present Imran Riaz Khan in court by 6:00 PM the same day.

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