PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was granted bail in the cipher case by the Supreme Court last week, was arrested outside the Adiala Jail on Wednesday.
Police have not yet responded to Dawn.com’s request for a comment regarding the case in which the PTI leader was taken into custody.
In a post on X, the PTI said that Qureshi was again arrested from outside the Adiala Jail after being released on bail in the cipher case. The party said that the order issued yesterday by the Rawalpindi DC for Qureshi’s 15-day detention had been withdrawn.
Footage shared by the party on Instagram showed Qureshi, clad in a cardigan and a shalwar kameez, attempting to speak to police personnel gathered outside the jail. However, an official wearing the Punjab police uniform refused to listen and then proceeded to shove Qureshi toward the armoured police vehicle.
“Look at this. What is this?” Qureshi said as he was pushed the entire way to the van and as the crowd yelled at officials to be careful.
He alleges being falsely arrested for political revenge, asserting his innocence as a former prime minister. Despite bail granted in a cipher case, the Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner orders a 15-day detention under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
Section 3 of MPO empowers the government to arrest and detain suspected persons. It states: “The government, if satisfied that with a view to preventing any person from acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety or the maintenance of public order, it is necessary to do, may, by an order in writing, direct the arrest and detention in such custody […] and [the] government, if satisfied that for the aforesaid reasons, it is necessary so to do, may extend from time to time the period of such detention, for a period not exceeding six months at a time.”
Meanwhile, in a post on X the PTI strongly condemned the violent manner in which Qureshi was arrested.
“The disgraceful arrest of Shah Mahmood Qureshi after the Supreme Court granted him bail is a slap on the face of the judiciary and justice system,” the party said.
The party accuses the state of extreme brutality, alleging attempts to sever the connection between Imran Khan and the nation. Following the election schedule announcement, increased oppression against PTI leaders and workers is noted. Qureshi, a key candidate for the upcoming Feb 8 election, faces attempts to exclude him. The deputy commissioner’s detention order is seen as a violation of the Supreme Court’s call for a level playing field. The PTI holds the Election Commission of Pakistan accountable for atrocities and urges the Chief Justice to address the abuse of power and secure Qureshi’s release.