The Rawalpindi court denied the Punjab police’s request for PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s custody on Thursday. He was sent to jail for a 14-day judicial remand in connection with a recent case tied to the May 9 riots.
شاہ محمود قریشی صاحب 40 سال سے سیاست میں ہیں، بطور وزیر خارجہ دو بار پاکستان کی دنیا بھر میں نمائندگی کر چکے ہیں، پارلیمانی لیڈر بھی رہ چکے ہی اور پاکستان کی سب سے بڑی سیاسی پارٹی کے وائس چئیرمین ہیں-
شاہ صاحب کو ہتھکڑی لگا کر عدالت لانا انتہائی شرمناک عمل ہے- یہ وقت بھی گزر… pic.twitter.com/Pps48ET5xO
— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 28, 2023
Key Points:
- The Punjab police’s plea seeking Qureshi’s custody was dismissed by a Rawalpindi court, resulting in his 14-day judicial remand related to the May 9 violence.
- Qureshi, previously a foreign minister and PTI Vice Chairman, was involved in an incident outside Adiala Jail, where he was manhandled and re-arrested in connection with an attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) on May 9, when widespread protests occurred following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
- Media reports suggest Qureshi is involved in multiple similar cases linked to the May 9 violence.
- Despite being granted post-arrest bail in the cipher case by the Supreme Court, Qureshi was pushed and taken from the prison by Punjab police.
- During the court hearing before Additional District and Sessions Judge Syed Jahangir Ali, Qureshi was escorted by police. Videos shared by PTI showed Qureshi being handcuffed and displaying a victory sign post-hearing, along with slogans supporting Imran Khan.
- Qureshi alleged mistreatment in prison, claiming mental and physical torture, and criticized his detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).
- The prosecutor sought a three-day physical remand, alleging evidence against Qureshi in reports from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and social media.
- Qureshi’s lawyer objected to the prosecution’s request, citing a lack of substantial evidence against his client and criticized the police’s treatment.
- The court reserved its verdict on the police’s plea for Qureshi’s 30-day physical remand.
Read more:PTI’s Qureshi Roughly Handled During Re-Arrest at Adiala Jail
شاہ محمود قریشی نے جوڈیشل ہونے کے بعد کمرہ عدالت سے باہر نکل کر وکٹری کا نشان بنایا، وکلا کے’’کون بچائے گا پاکستان، عمران خان عمران خان، اگلی واری فیر نیازی‘‘ کے نعرے۔ pic.twitter.com/kYpvpMli8L
— PTI (@PTIofficial) December 28, 2023
- Meher Bano Qureshi, Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s daughter, expressed disappointment at the heavy security outside the court and criticized the police’s treatment of her father.
- PPP Senator Raza Rabbani condemned the police’s treatment of Qureshi, emphasizing that every citizen, regardless of their position, deserves respect, and called for action against officers responsible for such incidents.
