IHC seeks police explanation on Sadaqat Abbasi's 'illegal' arrest

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A petition has been submitted in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the release of former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Sadaqat Abbasi, who is alleged to have been illegally detained by the Islamabad police.

The IHC issued a notice to the Islamabad police, directing them to respond to the petition regarding Abbasi’s detention.

According to Express News, the court has given the police until tomorrow to submit their reply.

Abbasi's brother, Usman Abbasi, submitted the petition in the IHC, naming the Interior Secretary, Islamabad’s IG, Chief Commissioner, and other authorities as respondents. The petition was represented in court by lawyers Ansar Kiani and Saqib Abbasi.

On November 24, Islamabad police arrested Sadaqat Abbasi from the Faizabad Interchange while he was allegedly on his way home.

Abbasi, a former Member of National Assembly (MNA), denied any involvement in the ongoing protests, asserting that he was not participating in the demonstration and was merely returning home.

Abbasi had announced his departure from PTI and politics altogether last year. His arrest has raised concerns over potential political motivations behind his detention.

The IHC has asked the authorities to explain the legal grounds for Abbasi’s arrest, particularly in the absence of any clear evidence linking him to the protests.

Previously, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and several other leaders of the PTI are set to be formally indicted in the case related to the attack on Pakistan's General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi during the unrest on May 9.

The court had also issued arrest warrants for 31 accused who were absent from the proceedings. Other key PTI figures, including Shireen Mazari, Sadaqat Abbasi, Amjad Niazi, and Usman Dar, were present in court.

Some PTI members facing charges for protests on September 28 and October 4 submitted medical absence requests.

Strict security measures were enforced during the proceedings, and the next hearing will take place on October 19 at the Adiala Jail court.