LHC orders PTI leader Shireen Mazari's release

The Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench on Monday ordered the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senior Vice-President Dr Shireen Mazari.

The court has asked the politician to submit an affidavit to the deputy commissioner ensuring no future involvement in such activities.

The bench’s orders came during the hearing of a plea filed against Mazari’s latest detention.

After being released from custody on Islamabad High Court's (IHC) orders, the PTI leader was re-arrested for the third time the same day on May 17 by the Punjab Police.

Officials told Geo News Mazari was arrested by women personnel of the Punjab Police under Section 4 of the Maintenance of Public Order.

Her daughter, Imaan Mazari, too, confirmed the arrest of her mother a third time on her Twitter handle and said: “They have taken her again”.

Last week, IHC had barred authorities from arresting Mazari and her party colleague Senator Falak Naz Chitrali. The court had also stopped authorities from further investigating the two politicians when they appeared before the judge hearing a plea seeking relief from further arrest.

"No further investigation is needed from Falak Naz and Shireen Mazari," the judge remarked.

Mazari was first arrested on May 12 and detained at the Adiala prison when the government launched a crackdown against the leadership and workers of PTI following the violent protests and vandalism triggered by the arrest of party Chairman Imran Khan on May 9 on orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

The former human rights minister was taken into custody for the second time on May 16 soon after her arrest was declared “illegal” by the Islamabad High Court.

Imaan laments distress after mother's arrest

When speaking with journalists outside the LHC's Rawalpindi bench, Imaan said her mother was arrested thrice in a week’s time.

“Today, the court annulled the second MPO order for my mother,” she said, slamming the government for causing distress to families.

The human rights lawyer also criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan for being "selfish" and forgetting his workers and leadership during a difficult time.

“It is a pity that Imran Khan forgot the workers,” Imaan said.

IHC hears contempt plea

Separately, the Islamabad High Court heard the contempt of court pleas against the arrest of PTI leaders including Mazari, Ali Muhammad Khan and Maleeka Bukhari after they were granted bail.

During the proceedings conducted by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurnagzeb, Islamabad Inspector-General of Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, additional attorney general, advocate general for Islamabad and jail officials appeared before the court.

The court had issued a notice to the Islamabad IG seeking an explanation on the reason behind re-arrests of PTI leaders defying court orders.

During the proceedings, Justice Aurangzeb asked the IG if he was defending the arrest.

Meanwhile, the additional advocate general told the court that the chief commissioner directed appropriate action on request made by Punjab Police.

“The Islamabad Police obeyed the orders of the chief commissioner and violated those of the court,” the judge asked.

This, Justice Aurangzeb remarked, was a “fit case” to issue contempt of court.

“Don’t embarrass yourself further,” the judge said, addressing the additional attorney general.

Justice Aurangzeb asked if he should close his eyes and let illegal matters continue.

Mazari’s counsel told the court that they were not allowed to meet her in the jail. The court then asked jail officials if they had refused the meeting.

“We arranged two meeting for them, but they last visited on Saturday evening. I told them that you have come late and asked them to show up next morning,” the jail official responded.

The judge told jail officials that Mazari was not an accused, but detained under MPO. “They are not accused in a criminal case,” Justice Aurangzeb said.

The court said it would issue an order in this regard. “A contempt of court notice cannot be issues to Islamabad IG on this plea. He was not made party in the contempt petition,” the IHC judge said.

Responding to the judge, Mazari’s lawyer said it would amend its application.

Justice Aurangzeb added that the court order was violated in Fawad Chaudhry’s case, in which the court showed restraint and gave benefit of the doubt to the government.

“The Islamabad High Court will issue an order on this,” the judge remarked.