IHC issues detailed verdict on release of Shah Mehmood Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) orders immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi from detention, ARY News reported on Saturday.

According to details, the Islamabad High Court has issued a detailed verdict on the release of PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, along with Justice Nisar, announced the verdict, declaring the precautionary detention order against Shah Mahmood Qureshi as illegal.

The court stated that there is no specific feature in the police report, and it does not misrepresent any particular statement given by the former foreign minister against the armed forces.

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“Based on this material, I am of the opinion that no order can be issued under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Act. Section 3 of the MPO Act cannot be based on a presumptive order,” the court said.

The verdict stated that under Section 3 of the MPO Act, there must be a solid foundation of evidence upon which a person’s preventive detention can be ordered. According to Article 9 of the Constitution, no one shall be deprived of life or liberty except in accordance with the law.

According to the court’s decision, the authority that issues the order of precautionary detention under Section 3 must satisfy itself that the material presented/produced before it is sufficient to justify the detention order; otherwise, the order of precautionary detention will be in violation of Article 9 of the Constitution.

“I am not making any determination in these proceedings as to whether Shah Mahmood Qureshi has committed any crime or not,” the court said.

The Islamabad High Court stated that the question is whether Shah Mahmood Qureshi – who has already completed thirteen days in detention – can be further detained for an extended period of time for the purpose of maintaining public order.

To satisfy this court, Shah Mahmood Qureshi will respect the order issued under Section 144.

The verdict stated that Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s counsel, after seeking instructions, submitted an oath statement.

Any violation of the oath statement in court will be considered contempt of court. If Shah Mahmood Qureshi commits contempt of court by violating the oath statement, legal proceedings will be initiated against him.