Peshawar: The Peshawar High Court issued a written order today regarding a petition filed against police action involving tear gas shelling and firing during a public gathering in Khyber.
The court summoned the Chief Secretary, Secretary of Home Affairs, and the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) to appear in person tomorrow.
In the hearing, the court instructed the Advocate General to ensure the attendance of the concerned officials. The petition alleges that the federal government had directed the Chief Secretary through an official letter, which led law enforcement agencies to take action against the public gathering. The petition also claims that security forces opened fire on the crowd, putting the lives and property of citizens at risk.
The court’s written order confirmed that law enforcement agencies were involved in the firing, which endangered public safety. The Advocate General supported the petitioner’s stance during the proceedings.
The federal government recently declared the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) a subversive organization, accusing it of spreading hatred and inciting sectarian violence. On October 2, following this declaration, authorities raided a PTM camp in Regi, near Peshawar.
The personal of Peshawar and Khyber police shelled the camp and destroyed tents, justifying their actions by citing the PTM’s alleged anti-state activities and attempts to undermine national unity.
The Chief Secretary, Secretary of Home Affairs, and the CCPO are expected to appear in court tomorrow to address the allegations. The court stressed the urgency of their presence to explain the incident and justify the actions taken by law enforcement during the event.
