2024 C L C 385
[Lahore]
Before Safdar Saleem Shahid, J
IMRAN ABBAS BHATTI----Petitioner
Versus
GOVERNMENT OF PUNJAB and others----Respondents
Writ Petition No.31899 of 2023, decided on 23rd May, 2023.
(a) Constitution of Pakistan---
----Art.199---Constitutional petition---Alternate remedy, availability of---Effect---If procedure for obtaining relief through some other proceedings is too cumbersome or relief cannot be obtained without delay and expense, or delay makes grant of relief meaningless, High Court would not hesitate to issue a writ, if party applying for it is found entitled to it, simply because the party could have chosen another course to obtain the relief which is due.
(b) Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (XXXI of 1960)---
----S.3---Constitution of Pakistan, Art. 199---Constitutional petition---Preventive detention---Necessary material---Petitioners were detained by authorities on the plea that their conduct was prejudicial to public peace---Validity---For the purpose of passing an order for protective detention there should be sound material showing that individual/detenu was busy in any activity prejudicial to public safety or maintenance of public order, in any of documentary forms like SMS/voice messages, WhatsApp messages, social media accounts, pamphlets/handouts, posters, play cards, photographs, paintings, caricatures, books/literature, newspapers, audio/video CDs, Electronic and digital material, wall chalking, banners/pena flex, recording of demonstrations in rallies, material on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media account, call records, geo-fencing through CDR, speeches in public meetings, Radio and T.V. shows, surveillance report in any form, reports from international agencies, suspicious transaction report from any financial institution, membership record of affiliated association or political party etc.---No such record was brought on record or even referred by authorities against petitioners---Orders assailed were bereft of any supportive material---High Court declared detention orders to have been passed in flagrant violation of S.3 of West Pakistan Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960---High Court directed the authorities to release petitioners and set aside preventive detentions---Constitutional petition was allowed, in circumstances.
Federation of Pakistan through Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Islamabad v. Mrs. Amatul Jalil Khawaja and others PLD 2003 SC 442; Muhammad Abdaal alias Abdali v. Government of Punjab and others PLD 2020 Lah. 471; Dr. Sher Afgan Khan Niazi v. Ali S. Habib and others 2011 SCMR 1813; Hafiz Ali Raza v. Deputy Commissioner, Lahore and others 2023 LHC 1304; Muhammad Irshad v. Government of the Punjab and others 2020 PCr.LJ 206 and Shahid Rasool v. Government of the Punjab through Secretary Home Department, Lahore and 6 others 2023 YLR 333 rel.
Muhammad Azhar Sulehria, Rana Naveed Khalid, Rana Ashiq Ali and Mudassar Naveed Chatha for Petitioners.
Asad Abbas Dhother, Assistant Advocate General Punjab, Waqar Abid Bhatti, Deputy Prosecutor General Punjab for Respondents.