After 80 days of detention and facing a total of eight arrests, Ali Muhammad Khan, a prominent leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has finally been released from jail. The release came shortly after the Peshawar High Court (PHC) issued instructions for his immediate release.
Ali Muhammad Khan’s legal troubles began on May 11 when he was first arrested by the Secretariat police under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Order (MPO). This arrest was related to the violent protests that occurred on May 9, following the detention of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Despite securing bail, Khan found himself behind bars seven more times due to various cases filed against him by the anti-corruption establishment in Mardan.
The situation took a curious turn when, on Wednesday, a Peshawar sessions court granted him bail in a corruption case against surety bonds of Rs200,000. However, immediately after his release, Ali Muhammad was re-arrested under the 3-MPO on the orders of the Mardan deputy commissioner.
Thankfully, the wheels of justice turned in Ali Muhammad Khan’s favor, and he was released once and for all as per the orders of the Peshawar High Court. The court was not pleased with the repeated arrests of the PTI leader and questioned the reasoning behind the latest arrest. Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Fazal Subhan presided over the hearing and expressed their disapproval of the authorities’ actions.
Justice Anwar highlighted the importance of holding officials accountable for any abuse of power and warned that the punishment of one deputy commissioner could serve as a lesson for others. He questioned the additional deputy commissioner on the circumstances of Khan’s latest arrest and criticized the lack of independent thought in preparing the case.
The court seemed unconvinced that Ali Muhammad had violated any laws or disrupted public order during his time out on bail. As a result, it summoned the deputy commissioner of Mardan to appear before the court in person on August 8.
Following the court’s decision, Ali Muhammad Khan’s lawyer, Khattak, expressed relief at his client’s release. The legal battle had been arduous, with multiple arrests and extended periods of detention. But with the support of his legal team, the PTI leader finally tasted freedom.
Ali Muhammad Khan’s release marks the end of a challenging chapter in his life, which began with his involvement in the protests following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Throughout his time in jail, Khan maintained his innocence, and now with the court’s decision in his favor, he can focus on his political duties and continue to serve his constituents.
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The case of Ali Muhammad Khan’s arrests and subsequent release raises questions about the misuse of authority and the need for fair and just legal proceedings. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring that no individual is subjected to undue hardship and arbitrary arrests.
As the dust settles, Ali Muhammad Khan can look back on this experience as a test of his resilience and determination. It remains to be seen how he will emerge from this challenging period, but for now, he can enjoy his freedom and get back to the work he is passionate about—serving the people of Pakistan.
