PTI’s Sanam Javed rearrested after delay in delivery of release order

Social media activist had already secured bail in May 9 riots case

LAHORE:

Social media activist Sanam Javed, affiliated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has once again been arrested in a separate case. This development comes after the admission by Sargodha jail authorities, before Lahore High Court's Justice Muhammad Waheed Ahmad Khan, that they had received a "robkar" pertaining to another case in which she had previously secured bail from an anti-terrorism court.

Javed's father had filed a habeas corpus petition in the Lahore High Court, seeking the release of his daughter from what he claimed was her illegal detention by the jail authorities.

During today's proceedings, petitioner's lawyer Shakeel Pasha informed the court that despite the ATC granting bail to Javed in a case related to the May 9 riots, the Sargodha jail authorities appeared unwilling to release her. Pasha argued that Javed had secured bail in all cases and questioned why she was still being detained.

In response to Pasha's assertions, Justice Khan queried the Sargodha jail authority about the procedure for receiving a "robkar". The authority stated that a "robkar" is issued after an accused secures bail and completes the surety bonds procedure, following which the jail officials receive it. However, in Javed's case, they had not yet received any such document.

Read more: PTI’s Sanam Javed, Aliyah Hamza rearrested

Javed's lawyer countered by stating that the "robkar" had been dispatched to Kot Lakhpat jail and should have been received by June 1. Justice Khan then adjourned the proceedings, directing the superintendent of Kot Lakhpat jail to submit a report detailing when the robkar was received and dispatched to Sargodha jail.

Upon resumption of proceedings, the Sargodha jail authority informed the court that they had received the robkar of Sanam Javed today, which had been sent through the post. Following this update, Justice Khan disposed of the petition.

However, following the news broadcast of the robkar being received by the Sargodha jail authority, Gujranwala Cantt police officials arrived at the jail premises and arrested Javed as she exited the facility.