PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has ordered the release on bail of a minor Afghan boy who was arrested on charges of illegal stay in Pakistan.
The case was heard by Chief Justice SM Attique Shah. Counsel for the petitioner, Daniyal Khan Chamkani, appeared before the court on behalf of Zakirullah.The lawyer informed the court that his client had been arrested by the police in Hangu on March 2 on allegations of illegal stay. However, he argued that the boy was born in Pakistan and therefore did not possess a visa or passport. He further stated that Zakirullah was detained as part of the government’s ongoing crackdown against undocumented Afghan nationals.
Counsel also submitted that the petitioner was 17 years old and cannot be kept in jail under the Juvenile Justice System Act.After hearing the arguments, the court granted bail to the minor under Section 6 of the Juvenile Justice System Act and issued a written order in the case.
