The Government of Sindh on Tuesday withdrew detention orders issued under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, directing authorities to release citizens who had been detained ahead of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest.
According to officials, a formal notification was issued instructing senior superintendents of police (SSPs) in the concerned districts to ensure the release of all detainees held under the MPO. The move came following strong observations by the Constitutional Bench of the Sindh High Court during a hearing on petitions challenging the detentions of PTI workers.
Read More: PTI challenges detention of workers under MPO-3 in SHC
The court directed the provincial government to withdraw the notification authorising the detentions and warned that it would issue strict orders against responsible officials if the directive was not complied with. During the proceedings, the government’s lawyer requested one week’s time to submit a written order regarding the withdrawal.
حکومتِ سندھ کے ہوم ڈیپارٹمنٹ کا اہم حکم نامہ جاری ایم پی او کے تحت یکم سے 9 فروری کے دوران جاری تمام نظر بندی احکامات واپس، متعلقہ جیل حکام کو زیرِ حراست افراد کی فوری رہائی کی ہدایت۔ pic.twitter.com/wUQbd0dAeo
— Waseem Korai (@WaseemKorai_Pti) February 10, 2026
Counsel for the petitioners argued that the detention orders were illegal and had adversely affected at least 187 families. He said the arrests had created fear and distress among relatives of the detained workers.
Earlier, PTI had approached the Sindh High Court challenging the arrest of more than 180 party workers under the MPO. The party maintained that its workers were unlawfully detained in the days leading up to its protest call on February 8.
In a statement issued ahead of the protest, the Sindh Home Department had justified the arrests, claiming that the individuals were apprehended to prevent threats to law and order and to protect life and property. It had stated that the detainees would be shifted to Malir Jail for up to 30 days.
Read More: Opposition protest disrupts Sindh Assembly session
PTI, however, claimed that the arrests took place between Saturday and Sunday night and amounted to a citywide crackdown on party workers. The party said the large-scale arrests caused panic among families and were aimed at suppressing political activity.
The court also issued notices to the Advocate General of Sindh and other respondents, seeking their replies. The next hearing of the case was fixed for February 10.