LAHORE - The Lahore High Court sought reply from the district coordination officer on a petition challenging illegal detention of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers across Punjab.

Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry, representing Pakistan Awami Tehreek, appeared in the court and argued that the government had been victimising PAT workers on political grounds. He said the government detained at least 72 workers of the party and was not producing them before any court of law. The counsel said that there was no legal bar in holding peaceful protest on any issue.

He pleaded the court to declare detention of the workers as void and order the government to release them. The proceedings adjourned until September 11.

Meanwhile, PML-N lawyers forum held demonstration against the Islamabad sit-ins being staged by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek at GPO Chowk here on Tuesday. 

The lawyers demanded of immediate calling off of the sit-ins for the largest interest of public. The protestors chanted slogans against PTI and PAT leadership. They said the sit-ins were badly damaging the country’s economy.