Islamabad, August 16, 2023 – In a significant development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued directives for the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar Khan. The leaders had been detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) on separate occasions, sparking controversy and legal action.
The IHC ruling, which came on Wednesday, stipulates that Shehryar Afridi must remain within the boundaries of Islamabad and prohibits him from leaving the capital city. The court has also instructed the Islamabad inspector-general of police (IGP) and deputy commissioner (DC) to take necessary measures to ensure his safety and security during his release.
Shehryar Afridi’s legal ordeal began after his initial arrest in connection with the May 9 riots. He was subsequently rearrested on May 30 under Section 3 of the MPO Ordinance 1960. Following his release from Adiala Jail after securing bail from the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench, Afridi was detained again by Rawalpindi Police earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Shandana Gulzar Khan’s case took a different turn when she was allegedly “abducted” by the Islamabad Police on August 9. Her mother, deeply concerned about the circumstances of her arrest, filed a petition with the IHC, citing “illegal arrest” and the violation of several constitutional articles, including Articles 4, 9, 10A, and 14 of the Constitution of Pakistan.
Both Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar Khan were presented before the Islamabad High Court by the respective authorities responsible for their detention. The court carefully reviewed the evidence and arguments presented before it. In its verdict, the IHC overturned the detention orders issued under the MPO and directed the immediate release of both suspects.
This ruling has brought relief to the PTI leaders and their supporters who had been closely following the legal proceedings. The decision is seen as a reaffirmation of the importance of upholding constitutional rights and due process in the country’s legal system.
As both Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar Khan prepare to return to their respective roles within the political landscape, the legal process surrounding their detentions serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding individual rights in a democratic society.
