PTI's Asad Umar released from Adiala Jail

Senior PTI leader discreetly released from prison, leaves silently in private car without making a public appearance

LAHORE/ISLAMABAD:

Former finance minister and Secretary-General of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Asad Umar was discreetly released from detention in Adiala Jail on Wednesday evening after his arrest was nullified by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) earlier in the day.

Ordering his immediate release, the high court also barred police from arresting the PTI senior leader, who was detained under the MPO (Maintenance of Public Order) ordinance, for two days.

The court ordered his release after the former minister submitted a sworn statement assuring that he would will not partake in any procession of his party that infringes upon section 144. It was emphasised in Asad Umar's sworn statement that contempt of court proceedings would be initiated in case of violation.

Reporters present at Adiala Jail observed that the senior PTI leader was discreetly released from prison. He exited the main gate without making a public appearance and left silently in a private car via Gate One. Journalists and media teams waiting at Gate Five and Three were left in anticipation, they noted.

Also read Imran says members being forced to leave PTI at 'gunpoint'

Unlike previous occasions, Rawalpindi police were also not present outside the jail during Asad Umar's release.

Earlier today, the pleas against the arrest and provision of details of cases lodged against the former federal minister were heard in the IHC. with Umar's lawyer Babar Awan representing him in court.

During the hearing today, Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb said the court is reserving judgment in the two cases in which bail is sought and directed the PTI leader to submit an affidavit.

“If the affidavit is violated, then forget about your political career,” remarked Justice Aurangzeb.

Justice Aurangzeb stated that there are two tweets of Umar that should be deleted immediately. To this Awan said that they will "comply with your order".

Awan also requested the court to issue a production order for the PTI leader, to which Justice Aurangzeb said that the cases against Umar are before him.

Awan further requested the court to give them two days so that when released, Umar can surrender in the concerned court.

"We want protective bail in the criminal cases registered against Umar," he furthered.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Babar Awan said that judge remarked that even if Umar is released, he will be re-arrested until he holds a "press conference".

Also read Qureshi re-arrested from outside Adiala Jail after IHC orders release

To this, Awan said that he replied that “there will be no press conference”, adding that “we are not scared of arrests”.

The lawyer maintained he stands with PTI chief Imran Khan. “I stand with Imran Khan and so do millions of people. We are not hiding…we will fix this country,” he added.

He further said that 11 cases have been filed against Umar, adding that two of the cases were registered when he was in Karachi and he has also requested a protective bail in those cases.

On May 10, Umar was arrested from the premises of the IHC, a day after party chief Imran Khan was arrested.

The PTI leader was reportedly arrested by the Islamabad police from the gate near the IHC’s writ branch.

Referring to the PTI leader's arrest, the party, on its official Twitter account, termed it another arrest "under the court premises by this fascist regime”.

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

A day earlier, senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi was re-arrested by Punjab Police from outside the Adiala Jail hours after the IHC had ordered his release.

PTI leader Musarrat Jamshed Cheema was also re-arrested along with Qureshi, Express News reported.