A court in Lahore has granted Quetta police a two-day transitory remand of Khadija Shah who is a prominent fashion designer and supporter of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Ms Shah, currently held in Kot Lakhpat Jail, was previously granted bail in the fourth and final case related to the May 9 protests, but was re-arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance for 30 days on Nov 17.
Notably, Shah had challenged her detention as “unlawful and unconstitutional” in the Lahore High Court.
Today, the Punjab government submitted a notification to the LHC, stating the withdrawal of Shah’s detention orders “with immediate effect.” However, just before her release, the Quetta police filed a request in the ATC, seeking her transitory remand.
The court approved the request, granting custody to the investigating officer for two days, and directed the Quetta police to present Shah in court on Dec 13.
During the hearing at the Lahore High Court, Barrister Sameer Khosa informed Justice Ali Baqar Najafi about the ATC’s decision.
The judge directed the police to present Shah in court, warning that failure to comply would lead to summoning the Punjab police chief, Usman Anwar.
Punjab Inspector General (IG) Anwar appeared in court, stating that Shah was taken into custody by a Quetta police team. However, confusion arose regarding the details, with the judge asking when Shah was handed over and whether she was still within the limits of Punjab.
Shah’s legal troubles trace back to her arrest during the nationwide unrest on May 9 and 10, following the apprehension of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The protests turned violent, with attacks on military and state installations.
Shah voluntarily surrendered to the police on May 23, and since then, she has faced multiple charges for her alleged involvement in vandalism and attacks. Despite obtaining bail in all cases, securing her release has proven challenging.
In October, Shah wrote an open letter from Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat, detailing the plight of 18 imprisoned women involved in the May 9 protests.
The letter, shared by her husband, highlighted the heart-wrenching accounts of separation and suffering among the prisoners.
