Islamabad, Feb 2 (NationPress) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has initiated legal proceedings in the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday, challenging the purported detention of over 180 party members during operations carried out in Karachi and various regions of Sindh under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, as reported by local media.

On the previous day, PTI accused the Sindh police of executing early morning raids at the residences of party officials and supporters, resulting in the apprehension of approximately 180 individuals. The government of Sindh has dismissed these claims as baseless.

The petition has been filed by PTI Sindh General Secretary Mansoor Ali and Insaf Lawyers Forum President Faisal Mughal, who are seeking to have the MPO orders issued on February 1 declared unlawful and have demanded the immediate release of the detained party members, according to Dawn, a leading Pakistani daily.

The petition identifies 14 respondents, which include the provincial Chief Secretary, the additional Chief Secretary, the Inspector General of Police for Sindh, along with other police officials across various districts.

The petitioners have urged the court to declare the MPO directives as “unconstitutional, illegal, devoid of lawful authority, void ab initio, coram non judice, and ineffective legally.” They asserted that the orders were issued without any lawful decision or approval from the Provincial Cabinet, which they argue violates several articles of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The petitioners also emphasized that PTI, being a registered and recognized political party, is entitled to organize, engage in, and conduct peaceful political activities, including meetings, protests, and political expression. They requested the court to nullify the disputed orders entirely and suspend their enforcement immediately.

The party also asked the court to order the prompt release of all individuals who have been arrested, detained, or otherwise deprived of their freedom under the contested orders, unless they are needed for other legal matters, as reported by Dawn.

In the meantime, the government of Sindh has refuted PTI's assertions, labeling them as “false and misleading.” Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon, who also manages the information portfolio, stated that no mass detentions or arrests were made under the MPO. He mentioned to Dawn that PTI's claims were based on erroneous information and aimed at creating unnecessary political drama.