Elahi Challenges MPO Arrest in Islamabad High Court

Islamabad: Former Punjab Chief Minister and President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has taken decisive legal action in response to his arrest under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) by Islamabad police. Elahi, who was recently released on bail, filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) through his counsel, Abdul Razzaque, naming high-ranking officials as respondents.

In his plea, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi seeks the annulment of the MPO arrest order issued on September 1, alleging that he is being targeted on political grounds. The petition also requests the immediate release of Elahi and seeks to prevent any further arrests under the MPO.

The arrest and subsequent legal action come amidst a broader crackdown on PTI leaders following the May 9 riots. Elahi’s arrest occurred shortly after the Lahore High Court ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to release him and prohibited any further arrests related to his previous detention.

Upon his re-arrest in Lahore, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi was transferred to Attock Jail, as concerns over potential disruptions to law and order in Islamabad were cited by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) as reasons for his detention under the Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

In a related development, Parvaiz Elahi’s wife has also filed a contempt of court petition in the Lahore High Court, alleging that her husband was not safely transferred home as ordered by the court. This petition names senior police officials as respondents and requests a prompt hearing by the Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court.

The legal battle surrounding Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi’s arrest is set to be a focal point in the ongoing political landscape, with PTI leaders facing increasing scrutiny and legal challenges.

The Islamabad High Court is expected to hear the petition in the coming days, as the legal saga unfolds, shedding light on the complex intersection of politics and the rule of law in Pakistan.