The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday took Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Shah Mahmood Qureshi into custody from his Islamabad residence to investigate him in a leaked cipher case.
The FIA is presently in the process of questioning imprisoned PTI leader Imran Khan regarding a diplomatic cable that allegedly disappeared from his possession. This cable has long been presented as evidence by Khan, asserting a “foreign conspiracy” aimed at ousting him from the prime ministerial position.
Interim Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti verified Qureshi’s arrest during a talk show on the local media. Bugti emphasized that the former Foreign Minister has been taken into custody as part of the ongoing probe related to the cipher.
“Qureshi is implicated in the case and will soon be brought before the court,” Bugti stated, adding, “We are committed to upholding the law, and all those implicated in the cipher case will be detained and presented before the court.”
In response to queries about whether Qureshi’s detention was connected to a recent press conference where he affirmed meetings with foreign envoys and denied any internal party divisions, Bugti dismissed any direct linkage.
Despite this official stance, various PTI leaders argue that the arrest was indeed linked to the press conference.
During the conference, Qureshi not only refuted reports of intra-party conflicts but also announced PTI’s intention to approach the Supreme Court to address the delay in general elections.
Earlier, the PTI shared on its official platform X (formerly Twitter) that their vice chairman had been “unlawfully arrested once again.” The statement conveyed that Qureshi had been apprehended by a substantial police contingent from his residence in the federal capital and was being transported to the FIA headquarters.
Addressing a press briefing at the National Press Club in Islamabad earlier today, Qureshi acknowledged a breakfast meeting with the Australian high commissioner, highlighting the presence of other key ambassadors during the event.
He elaborated that the PTI used the opportunity to present their stance on the current political landscape and express concerns about national security.
PTI Secretary General Ayub condemned Qureshi’s detention, stating, “We had hoped that the era of lawlessness would conclude after the departure of the authoritarian PDM government, but it appears that this caretaker administration aims to surpass the misconduct of its predecessor.”
PTI’s Zulfi Bukhari echoed similar sentiments, asserting that Qureshi’s arrest was a consequence of his press conference, where he reiterated the party’s opposition to prevailing injustices and pre-election manipulation in Pakistan.
Qureshi’s arrest follows just over two months since his release from custody in a case associated with protests on May 9. These protests emerged following the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan in a corruption case.
Qureshi had been detained on May 11 by Islamabad police on charges including “incitement of violent protests.” On May 18, the Islamabad High Court ordered his release. However, his release was postponed due to his apparent reluctance to pledge not to participate in “disruptive” demonstrations.
Upon his eventual release on May 23, Qureshi was again taken into custody by Punjab police outside Adiala Jail after detention orders were issued by the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner.
Ultimately, on June 6, Qureshi was released following an order from the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench, nullifying his detention orders.
