Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the vice chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and a close associate of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was re-arrested by police in a move he and his party have labeled as “illegal”. This incident occurred on a Wednesday, right outside a jail in Rawalpindi. Jail authorities manhandled, pushed, dragged, and eventually detained senior PTI leader Qureshi.
Qureshi was released from jail on bail after the Rawalpindi DC withdrew an order to detain him for 15 days under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). However, the police have not yet commented on the incident.
Despite Qureshi’s protests, an official in the Punjab police uniform ignored him and continued to push him towards an armored police vehicle. Qureshi questioned the official’s actions as he was being pushed toward the van, while the crowd urged the officials to be careful.
Qureshi’s viral video at the time of rearrest
PTI released a video showing Qureshi, who had just been granted bail by the Supreme Court in the cipher case, being roughly handled by the police at the entrance of the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. He was then forced into an armored police vehicle.
In the widely circulated video, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, clad in a cardigan and shalwar kameez, can be seen trying to engage with the police officers assembled outside the jail, even as he remains within its confines. However, an official disregards his attempts at conversation and proceeds to forcefully escort the senior leader through the gate and towards an armored police vehicle.
“Look at this. What is this?” Qureshi exclaims as he is brusquely guided toward the van, while onlookers implore the officials to exercise caution. “They are detaining me again on a baseless charge. I have served the nation, I am innocent, and I am being singled out for political retribution without any justification,” he declares from inside the police van.
The video, which was broadcast on various TV and social media channels, shows Qureshi, the 67-year-old former foreign minister, dressed in a cardigan and shalwar kameez, vocally protesting against the police’s actions.
PTI and Qureshi’s family trying to support him
PTI condemned this treatment of a respected senior politician, calling it a sign of the ruling elite’s cowardice. They claimed that the law has been mocked and the basic constitutional rights of citizens are being openly violated. They added that the people of Pakistan will never forget this injustice.
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail, stated that if the Supreme Court granted bail to Qureshi on the basis that elections need to be free and fair, then the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) needs to ensure his release. He added that the party would approach the election commission and the high court if necessary.
Gohar also mentioned that he had suggested to the ECP that it would have been beneficial if they had personally surveyed the situation at various locations. He added that he would nonetheless apply to them.
Qureshi’s family had arrived at Adiala jail on Tuesday to pay his surety bond. However, before they could obtain the release order, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Hassan Waqar Cheema issued an order for Qureshi’s 15-day detention under MPO. A subsequent notification from the DC stated that the detention order had been withdrawn.
The associated case in which Qureshi and Khan were detained
On Friday, the Supreme Court granted bail to both Khan and Qureshi in the cipher case, asking them to submit surety bonds worth Rs 1 million each.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who holds the position of Vice Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), found himself back in custody shortly after he was granted bail. This incident took place outside Adiala jail. The reason for his arrest is linked to allegations of riots and arson in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a similar vein, Imran Khan, who leads PTI, was also taken into custody. He faces charges in what’s known as the cipher case, where he’s accused of breaching the Official Secrets Act by revealing confidential diplomatic information.
It’s crucial to remember that this situation is intricate and still unfolding. The information we have now may evolve as more details come to light. For the most current and precise information, it’s always best to refer to the latest news reports.
Both Khan and Qureshi have been incarcerated in multiple cases.
It’s noteworthy that Pakistan is gearing up for general elections slated for February 8. The electoral fray includes former PM Imran Khan, Shehbaz Sharif, and his brother, Nawaz Sharif, who has recently made a comeback to the country after a four-year exile in London.
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