PESHAWAR: A Peshawar High Court bench on Friday stopped the law-enforcement agencies from harassing or arresting former advocate general Shah Faisal Utmankhel.

Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel issued directives while hearing a petition filed by former AG Utmankhel against harassment and arrest under the 3MPO.

In a short order, the bench said the petitioner should not be arrested or harassed until the next hearing into the case on Oct 20.

Lawyer Yasir Khattak appeared for the petitioner, while advocate general Sanaullah represented the government.

The petition said that Utmankhel had served as the advocate general, a constitutional and public office carrying substantial professional responsibility.

“That the officials/personnel allegedly acting under the authority or instructions of the respondents raided the residence of the petitioner situated at Executive Lodges, Warsak Road, Peshawar. The said raid was carried out without disclosing any lawful authority, warrant, written order, notification or specific legal justification to the petitioner or his family members. The petitioner reserves the right to furnish further particulars regarding the date, time, identity of the officials involved and other relevant circumstances as may be established from the available record,” it said.

The petition said the incident and the conduct of the officials concerned had given rise to a genuine and reasonable apprehension that the petitioner would be unlawfully arrested or detained without due process of law.

It added that the petitioner apprehended that the respondents could proceed against him under Section 3 of the applicable Maintenance of Public Order law, commonly referred to as the MPO, or under some other provision of law, without lawful justification or compliance with the mandatory legal requirements.

AG Sanaullah told the court that he would take up the matter with the respondent officials and ensure that it is effectively resolved shortly.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2026