State Minister Talal Chaudhry Confirms Protective Custody of Sohail Afridi and Certain PTI Leaders; Pledges Legal Trials for Those Facing Formal Charges
ISLAMABAD: For the first time the government has confirmed the former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province Talal Chaudhry and a few Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders have been placed under protective custody after the implementation of Governor’s Rule.
Talal Chaudhry told international news agency Reuters those who have direct legal charges against them will go to court, and others who have no formal case against them will be freed.
The key elements of Talal Chaudhry’s statement and protective measures are highlighted.
Legal Proceedings for Detainees: The state has prioritized that the treatment of detainees complies with due process, the state minister said, adding that people who have been accused in criminal or security cases will be brought to a formal trial.
Restrictions at CM House: After the emergency, the entry of visitors at the Chief Minister’s House was banned and the resident administrative staff in the house was significantly reduced.
Constitutional Framework: All these actions are based on the federal government’s gazette notification under Article 232(1) and 234(1) of the Constitution issued by President Asif Ali Zardari which put former chief minister and provincial cabinet de facto out of a job and gave the legislative powers to the parliamentary oversight.