Islamabad, August 16, 2023 — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar have been set free after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended their detention orders, calling for their immediate release. This decision comes in the wake of their involvement in the May 9 riots, triggered by the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan earlier this year.
The detention orders, which were imposed under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, have been a subject of controversy and debate. The court’s decision to suspend the orders came during a hearing of pleas advocating the release of Afridi and Gulzar.
Shehryar Afridi’s legal journey has been marked by twists and turns. Initially arrested from his Islamabad residence on May 16 under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance, he was subsequently re-arrested on May 30 despite a release order. His release on bail by the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on August 3 was short-lived, as he was apprehended once again by Rawalpindi police upon leaving Adiala jail.
In response to his ongoing legal battles, Afridi’s lawyer filed a plea with the IHC, requesting his release and the revocation of the MPO order. Meanwhile, Shandana Gulzar, also a PTI leader, was allegedly taken into custody on August 9 by Islamabad police, prompting her mother to file a petition with the IHC.
During the recent hearing, Justice Babar Sattar of the IHC directed that both Afridi and Gulzar be released. However, while Afridi was permitted to return home, Gulzar’s movements were restricted to within Islamabad. The court also took a strong stance against contempt of court, including initiating proceedings against the deputy commissioner of the federal capital.
Justice Sattar posed pertinent questions during the hearing, including inquiring how Afridi managed to provoke people while being in jail. The DC’s response indicated reliance on intelligence reports. The court further expressed dissatisfaction with the response of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) operations, ordering his charges and contempt of court action against the deputy commissioner.
The court’s decision to suspend the MPO orders signifies a significant development in the legal proceedings against the PTI leaders. The court’s scrutiny of intelligence reports, the reasons behind the arrests, and the maintenance of law and order underlines the critical nature of the case.
The IHC’s adjournment of the case for two weeks indicates that further deliberations and legal proceedings are to be expected. The unfolding developments in this case could have broader implications for the application of the MPO Ordinance and the balance between individual rights and public order in Pakistan.
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The release of Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar comes after a period of legal uncertainty and controversy surrounding their detention. As the case continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact their political careers and the larger discourse on civil liberties and law enforcement practices in Pakistan.
