LHC orders release of Malik Ishaq
21 January, 2012
LAHORE: A three-member review board of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered the release of Malik Ishaq, leader of a banned outfit, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. The review board held that the police had no concrete evidence against the detainee and turned down a request by the Punjab government to extend his detention. Rahimyar Khan district police officer (DPO) produced Ishaq before the board on Friday under tight security. Review board comprising Justice Nasir Saeed Sheikh, Justice Manzoor Ahmed Malik and Justice Sheikh Ahmed Farooq held in-camera proceedings and heard the arguments of the detainee and the government. The DPO requested further extension in Ishaq's detention, saying the detainee was kept in fourth schedule and he was supposed to inform the law enforcing agencies of his movement but he violated this condition and used to move without any prior information. He said that Ishaq was released from jail on bail but he started objectionable activities harmful for Shias, adding that a one-month extension in Ishaq's detention was necessary to keep peace in society. In his defence, Ishaq said that he was not involved in any illegal or terrorist activity and urged the board to end his detention so that he could live like a free man. After hearing the parties, the board turned down the request to extend the house arrest of Ishaq and ordered his release. Ishaq was allegedly involved in 44 cases, involving 70 homicides. Courts acquitted him in 34 cases and granted him bail in the remaining 10. He was released from Kot Lakhpat jail on July 14, 2011 after 14 years of imprisonment as the Supreme Court had granted bail in the case of attack on Sri Lankan team. Later, the Punjab government approached the SC for the cancellation of his bail but the court dismissed the plea. After his bail, the provincial government detained Ishaq in Rahimyar Khan jail for 10 days under Maintenance of Public Order Act but it was extended for 60 days on October 25 and later review board on December 16 had extended his detention for another month. End.
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