RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who had been arrested following the May 9 violent protests.
The court also declared the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner’s Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) orders illegal, instructing the authorities to release Qureshi without the requirement of surety bonds.
Former foreign minister Qureshi, who has been arrested multiple times before, was the subject of a petition against his recent arrest. The LHC’s Rawalpindi Bench, presided over by Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz, ruled that Qureshi should no longer be detained under the Maintenance of Public Order 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.
The government’s representative, 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.
Cases Against Shah Mahmood Qureshi
Meanwhile, the 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.
The recent protests erupted following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on corruption charges, resulting in clashes between PTI supporters and law enforcement agencies, leading to the loss of eight lives. Several senior PTI leaders, including Qureshi, Asad Umar, Shireen Mazari, Fawad Chaudhry, and Yasmeen Rashid, were taken into custody. However, some of these leaders, such as Umar, Mazari, and Chaudhry, have been released. Some leaders have also distanced themselves from the party in condemnation of the violent protests.
