Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was arrested again on Wednesday just as he was released from the Adiala jail after securing bail from the Supreme Court (SC) in the cipher case four days ago.
The apex court had, on December 22, granted bail to Qureshi and former prime minister Imran Khan. However, their immediate release from jail was hindered by their involvement in other ongoing cases. The former foreign minister was arrested by Rawalpindi Police in the GHQ attack case. A heavy contingent of police took the PTI leader in custody from outside the Adiala Jail, and reportedly shifted him to an unknown location.
As per police sources, a case against Qureshi, for attacking the GHQ during
the May 9 riots, was registered at the RA Bazar police station. The PTI leader will be produced before an anti-terrorism court either today or tomorrow for remand. The arrest came after Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hasan Waqar Cheema revoked Qureshi’s detention orders, i
ssued on Tuesday, on the police’s request. A notification confirming this withdrawal was issued.
Upon release from jail after the initial detention orders expired, Qureshi was promptly re-arrested. On Tuesday, Rawalpindi Police had initially detained Qureshi under Section 3 of
the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). Following due process, of being presented before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) Qureshi is expected to return to Adiala jail. Expressing frustration, Qureshi, while addressing the public and media from an armored vehicle, said, “I was released on bail by the Supreme Court. This is cruelty; I am being penalized for serving the nation.” Responding to the former minister’s arrest, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar urged the apex court’s intervention, emphasising Qureshi’s importance to the party.
Stressing fair elections, Barrister Gohar stated that, “Given the Supreme Court’s grant of bail, no further arrests should occur.” Highlighting Qureshi’s history of arrests, he questioned the justification for Section 3 MPO, stressing its infringement on rights. He urged the judiciary to safeguard peoples’ rights and security. Notably, the deputy commissioner had i
ssued a detention order for Qureshi, placing him in Adiala Jail. The events raise concerns about Qureshi’s legal status and broader implications for justice and politics in the region.
Despite being provided relief by the superior courts, the PTI leader was detained at Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail for 15 days under Section 3 of
the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance. Qureshi’s daughter expected her father to be set free on Tuesday as she said he was not wanted in any other case. However, just as the family
reached the jail to
pay the surety bond, and before they could acquire his release order, they found out that he had been detained for 15 days. Qureshi’s fresh detention order was i
ssued by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema. In his letter, the Rawalpindi police chief wrote that Qureshi was a member of a political party, which was involved in anti-state activities and caused damage to public and private property.
The letter added that it was probable that Qureshi would engage in the same activities again and cause a law and order situation, and harm life and property
of the general public. It continued that the district intelligence committee had also concurred with the assessments
of the police and security authorities.
