Shehryar Afridi leaves court for home under strict security

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shehryar Afridi left the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for home on Wednesday evening under tight security after receiving a written court order.

The court had directed the Islamabad police inspector-general and the chief commissioner to ensure the provision of full security to Afridi.

Sherryar Afridi was holding a copy of the holy Quran in his hand while leaving the high court

The PTI leader had filed a plea against his ongoing detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance and the court earlier issued orders to allow him go home.

Earlier, IHC judge Justice Babar Sattar conducted a hearing in the case against the arrests of Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar under the MPO.

IHC orders to produce Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar in court

Both Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar Khan were presented in court by the police.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon took the stanace stating that Shehryar Afridi could potentially instigate an attack on district courts.

The court inquired into the plan that how Afridi was allegedly devising to attack the court while in jail.

The court questioned whether Shehryar Afridi had access to media and mobile communication. If Shehryar Afridi was planning an attack on the court from within the jail, what actions were taken against the jail administration?

“In the past three months, have you seen any MPO orders were retained by the court? Bear in mind that contempt of court can result in a six-month prison sentence,” the judge told the deputy commissioner.

Islamabad Police Inspector-General Akbar Nasir Khan took the stance that before any incident, they take action to maintain peace and security.

To this, the judge responded, remarking that the Special Branch’s report was nothing but a joke, which is poking fun at the police system.

“Decide whether you want to run the country under the Constitution or otherwise,” the judge remarked directing the Islamabad police chief to submit a detailed report in this regard.

The court decided to initiate indictment proceedings against the Islamabad deputy commissioner and the SSP operations Islamabad police.

Justice Babar Sattar remarked that “you have turned this into a spectacle. The court issues an order nullifying the MPO, the next day you issue another order.

The court sought is there any notification from the government authorising the deputy commissioner with this power? If there is no such notification, then there is no need for so much debate, the judge remarked.

The court also directed Afridi that until the case was wrapped up, he should refrain from making statements in the media and did not leave Islamabad until them.

The court had stated that if anything happens to these two PTI leaders, the Islamabad IGP and the chief commissioner will be held responsible.