The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued an order for the immediate release of Asad Umar, the Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), declaring his arrest under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) illegal.
The judge further directed Umar to provide an undertaking stating that he would refrain from participating in violent demonstrations.
Earlier, the IHC had also ordered the release of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Vice Chairman of PTI, after he submitted an affidavit committing to avoid inciting employees and causing agitation.
However, shortly after being released from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, Qureshi was re-arrested.
Umar was detained on May 10 under the MPO from the premises of the IHC, a day after nationwide protests turned violent following the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan. Within 24 hours of the violent protests, several prominent PTI leaders from Islamabad were also taken into custody.
During the hearing, Justice Mian Gul Hassan of the IHC cautioned Umar that deviating from the agreement would affect his political career.
Additionally, the court ordered Umar to delete two tweets, to which Umar’s counsel assured compliance with the order.
The justice stated, “They will not spare you until you hold a press conference [denouncing the violence on May 9].”
However, Umar’s counsel said they would not conduct a press conference in response.
Subsequently, the court instructed Umar to ensure he would not violate Section 144, citing that Qureshi had already been required to do the same.
 has declared the arrest of PTI leaders Asad Umar and Shah Mahmood Qureshi illegal and ordered their immediate release. Get the latest updates on the court's decision and its impact.){kind=link}