PHC bars govt from releasing former TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan

A Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench on Wednesday barred the government from releasing former Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan, asking that authorities continue investigating the former militant.

The decision was taken by a two-member bench of the court headed by PHC Chief Justice Yahya Afridi. The bench has been hearing a writ petition filed by Fazal Khan, father of a student killed in the December 16, 2014 Army Public School attack.

The petitioner believes that the government is planning to give clemency to the ex-militant, who is reportedly in the custody of security agencies.

The directive was issued after the federal government submitted a second report about Ehsan's incarceration, but failed to not satisfy the court.

In its written reply, the government had stated that it was still investigating Ehsan. Telling the government to continue its probe, the court forbade his release on any grounds.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, who had been associated with TTP and later its splinter group, the Jamaatul Ahrar (JuA), reportedly turned himself in earlier this year.

Apprehensions regarding a possible pardon for and release of Ehsan were raised after his interviews to local media were released and aired.

Observers had asked why authorities deemed it okay to allow the representative of one of the most notorious terrorist groups space on national media.