Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was taken into custody by Rawalpindi police from Adiala jail on Wednesday.
As per the police, the arrest is connected to a case related to the violent protests on May 9. Qureshi had been detained under the maintenance of public order (3-MPO) after his bail in the cipher case was approved last week. He expressed his belief of being wrongfully targeted and claimed innocence outside the prison.
Qureshi is implicated in cases stemming from the May 9 riots, which occurred after PTI founder Imran Khan’s arrest in a corruption case. He was arrested in a GHQ attack case and is due to be presented in an anti-terrorism court (ATC).
The arrest followed the revocation of the 3-MPO detention order by the deputy commissioner of Rawalpindi. The PTI leader was transferred to a police station amid high security. His detention order was linked to his alleged involvement in the May 9 protests and concerns over potentially continuing such activities.
PTI’s Response and Qureshi’s Political Background
The PTI condemned the alleged mistreatment of Qureshi during his arrest and expressed concerns over his exclusion from the electoral race. They criticized the intensifying crackdown on their leaders and workers. Qureshi, a former foreign minister, has faced several arrests since May, particularly after PTI protests led to vandalism of state properties.
Qureshi’s involvement in the cipher case, where he was accused of leaking diplomatic secrets, further complicated his legal challenges. The PTI demanded immediate release orders from the Chief Justice, citing a violation of the Supreme Court’s directives for a level playing field in politics.
