ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday restrained the police of the federal capital from harassing workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI). Former Advocate General Islamabad Niazullah Niazi had approached the Islamabad High Court against the harassment of party workers by the police, alleging that Bani Gala police station had made a list ahead of PTI’s Long March.
During the course of proceedings today, the Chief Justice of IHC asked as to what kind of lists were being prepared by the local police, on which the State Counsel responded that the IG had ordered them to prepare lists of PTI workers and seek surety bonds from them.
On this occasion, Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed his extreme displeasure and asked as to how could police make calls to local citizens and seek surety bonds from them, as one of them was former Advocate General.
Police officials responded that the list and report were prepared by Special Branch and handed over to the IGP, and the same was handed down to the local police.
The counsel representing the petitioner said only a Magistrate was authorized to seek surety bond, and not the local police.
After hearing arguments, Chief Justice Athar Minallah ordered the State Counsel to satisfy the court on next hearing about list prepared by the Special Branch as the modus operandi of the police didn’t seem appropriate.
The Islamabad High Court restrained the local police from harassing citizens, and adjourned the hearing until next week.
