PHC seeks replies from governor, speaker against governor’s rule
PTI challenges emergency, governor’s rule in K-P; court orders release of 23 more PTI workers arrested under MPO
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General's Office has served notices to the governor and other key authorities, including the provincial assembly speaker, requesting comprehensive replies and opinions on writ petitions that contest the implementation of emergency measures and governor's rule across several parts of the province. These petitions were filed in the Peshawar High Court by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and associates, who argue that the emergency declaration and governor's rule in certain districts are unconstitutional and unlawful.
The challengers claim that the province's situation is not beyond the control of the provincial government, thus warranting such extraordinary actions. They assert that the federal government overstepped its constitutional boundaries by imposing these measures, thereby denying the elected provincial government and its representatives their rights.
The petitions also question the invocation of Article 245, which permits the deployment of the armed forces, arguing that this authority should rest with the provincial government. The Advocate General's Office has given the governor, chief secretary, provincial assembly speaker, and the Secretary of the Home and Tribal Affairs Department until November 7 to submit their reports and comments through officers of Grade 17 or higher.
However, there are concerns about how the provincial assembly speaker will provide his response, as the provincial government claims he is currently under protective custody. The high court is scheduled to hear these petitions again on November 10. Additionally, the high court recently granted interim bail to 23 more PTI activists arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, directing the Mardan deputy commissioner to explain the grounds and circumstances of their detention.
Despite the court's instructions, the relevant authorities have yet to submit their reports. The court noted that similar interim relief had been previously granted in comparable situations and ordered the release of the detainees on bail, pending further hearing on November 12.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
