LHC Examines Khadija Shah’s Detention under MPO Amidst Allegations of Repeated Arrests
Lahore High Court’s Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, in a hearing on Monday, called for a response from the Punjab government in the case of fashion designer Khadija Shah, challenging her detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
Khadija Shah was re-arrested last Friday after being granted bail in two cases. The police claimed her arrest was under MPO, citing concerns about her potential impact on public peace and law and order in Lahore.
The detention order alleged that Shah posed a “potential danger to public peace” and that there was a genuine concern she might incite the public to engage in destructive activities.
In a petition filed by Jehanzeb Amin, Shah’s spouse, he argued that his wife had been illegally detained for 30 days despite being granted bail in all cases. He claimed that whenever she was granted bail, she was implicated in a new FIR, leading to her re-arrest.
Barrister Sameer Khosa, Shah’s counsel, argued that the detention order violated Articles 4 and 9 of the Constitution, which guarantee protection against deprivation of liberty. He alleged “malafide intention” behind the order, pointing out that it was issued on the day she was granted post-arrest bail in riot cases.
Khosa asserted that the repeated re-arrests were an attempt to pressure and harass Shah, emphasizing that this pattern was not in accordance with the law. He disputed the allegations in the order, claiming they were unfounded, and urged the court to set aside the order, release Shah, and take action against the police and administration involved in her arrest.
The court was urged to instruct relevant authorities not to transfer Shah from Lahore’s jurisdiction and to annul the order under which she was held.
