- The IHC orders release Asad Umar, the PTI leader
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) made a significant ruling on Wednesday, ordering the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar and declaring his arrest under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) null and void.
In addition, the court directed PTI leader Asad Umar to provide an undertaking stating that he would refrain from participating in violent protests. This decision follows the IHC’s previous order to release PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who had also submitted a similar undertaking.
However, the joy of Umar’s impending release was short-lived, as he was rearrested just moments after being released from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The circumstances surrounding his rearrest remain unclear.
Umar’s initial arrest took place on May 10 at the IHC premises, a day after nationwide protests erupted following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. Within 24 hours of the outbreak of violent protests, several other top PTI leaders were also detained in Islamabad.
During the court proceedings, Justice Mian Gul Hassan of the IHC emphasized the gravity of the undertaking, cautioning Umar to be aware that deviating from it could have severe consequences for his political career. The court also instructed Umar to delete two tweets, to which Umar’s representative assured compliance with the order.
In a notable exchange, Justice Hassan remarked that Umar would continue to face consequences until he held a press conference denouncing the violence that occurred on May 9. However, Umar’s representative expressed their reluctance to hold such a press conference.
The court further directed Umar to submit an undertaking pledging not to violate Section 144, a requirement previously imposed on Qureshi by the court.
The IHC’s decisions regarding the release of prominent PTI leaders and the conditions imposed upon them reflect the court’s emphasis on maintaining public order and curbing violence. The court’s instructions regarding undertakings and deletions of social media posts serve as reminders of the responsibility that comes with political leadership and the expectation to adhere to legal and ethical standards.
As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how these developments will impact the political landscape and the future actions of the PTI leaders involved.
To read more: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has prohibited the holding of bye-elections in two constituencies of Punjab.
