LAHORE: The Punjab government on Monday challenged the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) earlier order for the release of proscribed Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
In its petition, the provincial government argued that legal requirements were not met in the LHC’s direction, paving the way for the TLP chief’s release, while making Rizvi’s uncle the respondent in the case.
The plea said there were reports by intelligence agencies that Rizvi’s continued detention was necessary to prevent workers of the proscribed organisation to create a law and order situation.
The plea added that the LHC was provided a complete record of the case, and defended the government’s decision to put Rizvi under detention. The Punjab government also prayed upon the apex court to annul LHC’s decision.
Earlier this month, the LHC declared the second detention of Saad Rizvi illegal and ordered his release. Subsequently, the Lahore deputy commissioner had also issued orders for Rizvi’s release, citing the LHC judgement.
He was initially detained in April over the charges of inciting his followers to take the law into their hands and was taken into custody after the TLP had held protests to press the government for the expulsion of the French ambassador.
The banned organisation called off its violent protests after the federal government tabled a resolution in the parliament to debate the said expulsion. Saad is the son of the firebrand cleric, Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who died in November last year.
