ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice-Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi was released from Adial jail on bail after his month-long detention under the maintenance of public order (MPO) ordinance following bloody incidents of May 9 caused by the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.
Talking to reporters outside Adiala jail, Qureshi said that he got the opportunity to look at things intrinsically during the solitary confiement.
He said that he was holding the justice flag of his party. The PTI leader said that his detention was un-called for after the court granted him bail.
Qureshi said that he will go to Lahore on Wednesday to meet party chief Imran Khan.
Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench ordered an immediate release of Qureshi, who had been arrested following the May 9 violent protests.
The court also declared the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner’s MPO orders illegal, instructing the authorities to release Qureshi without the requirement of surety bonds.
Qureshi, who was re-arrested after the court issued his release orders earlier, had filed a petition against his detention.
Earlier, the LHC’s Rawalpindi bench, presided over by Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz, ruled that Qureshi should no longer be detained under the MPO ordinance.
During the hearing, the court questioned the law officer regarding any speeches or protests led by Qureshi. The court remarked that no political leader could fully control their words in a political gathering and directed the law officer to provide evidence, if any, existed against the former foreign minister.
Assistant Attorney General Abid Aziz Rajouri requested two days to submit the evidence. However, the court instructed him to update the court within an hour after receiving directives from the government. The hearing was adjourned for an hour accordingly.
Punjab police presented a report on the cases registered against Qureshi. According to the report, nine cases have been filed against him across Punjab, with four in Lahore and five in different police stations in Multan. The report was presented in response to a request from Qureshi’s daughter.
