Dr Yasmin Rashid, a leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been ordered to be released by Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday after being detained during her party’s violent protests. The announcement was made by Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid, who suspended the notification and ordered the authorities to release her if she was not wanted in any other case.
The decision was announced on a petition challenging the detention of Dr Rashid under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law. The Lahore High Court judge ordered the authorities to release her immediately.
In another case, the Lahore High Court ordered the release of 17 women workers of the PTI who were detained by the government for allegedly inciting violence and creating law and order situation in Punjab. The women workers and leaders were released after the court hearing of a petition filed by a citizen.
The violent protests began on May 9 when PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on the Islamabad High Court premises in a graft case. During the protests, the angry PTI workers damaged several military, public and private properties across the country. The clashes between the PTI and police claimed eight lives while dozens were injured.
In response, the army had been called in by the Punjab and KP governments to help the local administration and police maintain law and order. The Punjab Home Department said the army had been called in under Article 245 of the constitution to assist the local administration. The situation has been volatile, and law enforcement authorities have been working to ensure peace and security in the region.