Lahore Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider has ordered Lahore police to arrest and detain former Punjab assembly speaker and chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi "to maintain law and order situation" in the city.
The order, which was issued late on Sunday, read that the Model Town Division superintendent of police and the District Intelligence Branch has reported that Elahi is "an active member and firebrand speaker of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), having the potential to disrupt the public peace and tranquillity and to provoke people illegally for taking the law into their hands."
Moreover, she pointed out that the police and intelligence branch have expressed fears that if allowed to walk free, Elahi could create a situation of unrest and disturbance.
"There is a genuine concern that not only he but also his followers have the potential of damaging both public and private properties and may create road blockage situation."
She added that the presence of Elahi in any public place will pose a grave threat to public safety and is likely to cause a breach of public peace and public order.
Subsequently, in her order, the Lahore deputy commissioner stated that Elahi was to remain in the custody of the superintendent of the Lahore camp jail for another 30 days.
Why will Elahi be arrested and detained?
It is pertinent to mention that the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) had sent a letter on July 13 in which the Model Town Division SP and the District Intelligence Branch stated that Elahl could potentially disrupt public peace by provoking people.
In her order, DC Rafia Haider further mentioned that the Model Town Division SP and the Intelligence Branch have credible information indicating that if Elahi is freed, he can potentially worsen the law and order situation in the city along with his accomplices and followers, which can end up replicating the mayhem witnessed on May 9 mayhem.
In this regard, they pointed to the cases registered against Elahi in different police stations with charges for attempted murder, assaulting government officials, criminal intimidation, causing mischief after planning to hurt someone or cause their death, using explosive substances or incendiaries, causing damage to public property, concealing criminals, obstructing government officials in doing their duty, rioting with armed and deadly weapons, terrorism, disappearing evidence, and extortion in separate FIRs.
"During the course of investigation of the above-mentioned FIRs, it has been categorically established that the accused perpetrated acts of stiff resistance, arson and terrorist attack on law enforcement agencies through his accomplices," the order read.
The Model Town SP and District Intelligence Branch recommended continuing Elahi's detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order, 1960, for 30 days to prevent public disorder.
Elahi's detention request was placed before the district intelligence committee
Moreover, the request was placed before the District Intelligence Committee (DIC), which met on Sunday.
The Issue was discussed in detail, and the members of DIC endorsed the evidence provided by the police and unanimously recommended that a detention order should be issued for Elahl.
Subsequently, DC Haider ordered the detention.
"I am convinced that the presence of Elahi at any public place will pose a grave threat to the public safety and is likely to cause a breach of public peace and public order," she stated and ordered that Elahi be arrested and detained for 30 days.
However, she noted that Elahi could appeal his detention through his representatives with the provincial government.
The order, which was issued late on Sunday, read that the Model Town Division superintendent of police and the District Intelligence Branch has reported that Elahi is "an active member and firebrand speaker of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), having the potential to disrupt the public peace and tranquillity and to provoke people illegally for taking the law into their hands."
Moreover, she pointed out that the police and intelligence branch have expressed fears that if allowed to walk free, Elahi could create a situation of unrest and disturbance.
"There is a genuine concern that not only he but also his followers have the potential of damaging both public and private properties and may create road blockage situation."
She added that the presence of Elahi in any public place will pose a grave threat to public safety and is likely to cause a breach of public peace and public order.
Subsequently, in her order, the Lahore deputy commissioner stated that Elahi was to remain in the custody of the superintendent of the Lahore camp jail for another 30 days.
Why will Elahi be arrested and detained?
It is pertinent to mention that the Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) had sent a letter on July 13 in which the Model Town Division SP and the District Intelligence Branch stated that Elahl could potentially disrupt public peace by provoking people.
In her order, DC Rafia Haider further mentioned that the Model Town Division SP and the Intelligence Branch have credible information indicating that if Elahi is freed, he can potentially worsen the law and order situation in the city along with his accomplices and followers, which can end up replicating the mayhem witnessed on May 9 mayhem.
In this regard, they pointed to the cases registered against Elahi in different police stations with charges for attempted murder, assaulting government officials, criminal intimidation, causing mischief after planning to hurt someone or cause their death, using explosive substances or incendiaries, causing damage to public property, concealing criminals, obstructing government officials in doing their duty, rioting with armed and deadly weapons, terrorism, disappearing evidence, and extortion in separate FIRs.
"During the course of investigation of the above-mentioned FIRs, it has been categorically established that the accused perpetrated acts of stiff resistance, arson and terrorist attack on law enforcement agencies through his accomplices," the order read.
The Model Town SP and District Intelligence Branch recommended continuing Elahi's detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order, 1960, for 30 days to prevent public disorder.
Elahi's detention request was placed before the district intelligence committee
Moreover, the request was placed before the District Intelligence Committee (DIC), which met on Sunday.
The Issue was discussed in detail, and the members of DIC endorsed the evidence provided by the police and unanimously recommended that a detention order should be issued for Elahl.
Subsequently, DC Haider ordered the detention.
"I am convinced that the presence of Elahi at any public place will pose a grave threat to the public safety and is likely to cause a breach of public peace and public order," she stated and ordered that Elahi be arrested and detained for 30 days.
However, she noted that Elahi could appeal his detention through his representatives with the provincial government.