From Dawn · Waseem Ahmad Shah · · 2m
PHC orders provisional de-sealing of KP Assembly deputy speaker's official residence
Peshawar High Court directs temporary release of deputy speaker's official residence after police raid.
In brief
Peshawar High Court directs temporary release of deputy speaker's official residence after police raid. Peshawar High Court ordered provisional de-sealing of Suriya Bibi's official residence following police raids during KP's emergency rule. Originally reported by Dawn.
Peshawar High Court orders
Peshawar High Court directed relevant authorities to provisionally de-seal Suriya Bibi's official residence.
Suriya Bibi's plea
Bibi challenged sealing of her official residence and anticipated arrest under Section 3 of Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
Legal arguments
Advocate Yasir Khattak argued Bibi, as elected deputy speaker, is entitled to constitutional protection and a fully furnished official residence.
Raids during emergency
Police raided Bibi's residence on Oct 11 without justification and locked it again on Oct 14 at midnight.
Constitutional claim
Bibi's petition claimed sealing her residence violated constitutional rights and due process.
Court directives
Court restrained law enforcement from arresting Bibi until further orders and ordered de-sealing of residence.
Provincial government response
Provincial government, KP governor, and KP inspector general of police named as respondents in the plea.
Emergency context
Federal government imposed emergency and governor's rule in KP on Oct 11 citing provincial government's disengagement from counterterrorism.
Political tensions
Political tensions between Centre and opposition remained high after PTI announced protest march for Imran Khan's release.
Preventive custody
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, and PTI leaders taken into preventive custody.
Legal basis
Bibi was entitled to a fully furnished official residence under Section 20 of KP Provincial Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker Act, 1975.
Allotment details
Bibi was allotted official residence at Race Course Garden, Peshawar through June 3, 2:024 notification.
Current status
Official residence has been non-functional since Oct 11 due to governor's rule and emergency in KP.
Next steps
Court to issue written order and direct de-sealing of residence and restoration of lawful access.
The headline
Peshawar High Court ordered provisional de-sealing of Suriya Bibi's official residence following police raids during KP's emergency rule.
