IHC orders releasing Qureshi after he submits undertaking

Release orders come about six days after court declared PTI leader's arrest 'illegal'

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday, after the PTI leader submitted an undertaking to the court.

The orders were issued by Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb.

On May 18, the IHC had declared the PTI leader’s arrest "illegal" as it issued orders for his release. Justice Aurangzeb heard Qureshi’s plea against his arrest under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Act (3MPO).

The court declared the arrest null and void and instructed the concerned authorities to ensure his release after he signs an undertaking.

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The lawyer had responded that he will consult the ex-minister and submit the document accordingly.

However, till a day earlier, the PTI leader had been in jail custody even after five days of the court ordering for his release.

Qureshi’s lawyer, Taimur Malik, while speaking to reporters after yesterday's court proceedings, stated that, "Nothing can be said about the undertaking unless a meeting is held [with the PTI leader],” adding that he was not being allowed by the authorities to meet with his client in jail.

"We can only submit an undertaking after taking directions from him," Malik stressed.

Despite relief from the courts, however, there appears to be no respite in the crackdown on PTI leaders.

Their arrests came in the aftermath of violent protests that erupted following PTI chief Imran Khan's arrest, in which sensitive state and military institutions were targeted.