The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the detention orders against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar.
The court’s ruling resulted in the immediate release of the two PTI leaders who had been held in custody by the Islamabad Police under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance.
These directives, issued during a hearing that also saw contempt of court proceedings initiated against the federal capital’s deputy commissioner, were part of the ongoing case related to the arrest of the PTI politicians.
The arrests were allegedly linked to their involvement in the May 9 riots, which were triggered after the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan earlier this year.
Afridi’s legal saga began with his initial arrest on May 16 from his Islamabad residence under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance, 1960.
Despite obtaining a release order, he was swiftly rearrested under the same section on May 30.
Following a subsequent release from Adiala jail, Afridi was granted bail by the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on August 3. However, his release was short-lived as he was once again taken into custody by Rawalpindi police.
In response to his current arrests, Afridi’s lawyer lodged a plea in the IHC, urging not only his client’s release but also the revocation of the MPO order.
During the court hearing, IHC’s Justice Babar Sattar questioned Afridi about his residence in the capital city. Upon receiving an affirmative response, Afridi was permitted to return home.
The court also ordered the immediate release of Gulzar but restricted her mobility within Islamabad.
Justice Sattar emphasized that if any harm befell Gulzar, the Islamabad Inspector General Akbar Nasir Khan and chief commissioner would be held accountable.
Afridi, who had been in police custody on multiple charges, appeared in court alongside his lawyer Sher Afzal Marwat, bearing a copy of the Holy Quran.
During the hearing, Justice Sattar summoned the Islamabad deputy commissioner to provide details about the events of May 9.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with intelligence reports that suggested Afridi’s involvement in provoking people and planning an attack on district courts during the party’s campaign against the judiciary.
The court questioned how Afridi could incite unrest while being incarcerated.
Responses from police officials indicated that different personnel were in charge at various points, and the court deemed the Special Branch’s report as inadequate.
Justice Sattar extended his disapproval of Afridi’s repeated arrests under the MPO order, declaring it “void.”
He also ordered the Senior Superintendent of Police to be charged due to unsatisfactory responses. Furthermore, contempt of court action was initiated against the Deputy Commissioner.
The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.
