The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted permission for PTI leaders Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar to be released from detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance. In addition, the court has decided to indict Deputy Commissioner (DC) Irfan Nawaz Memon and a senior superintendent of police (SSP) for contempt of court.
Both Afridi and Gulzar were detained by the police in connection with the May 9 violence. On another note, the IHC had issued show-cause notices to DC Memon, Inspector General Dr Akbar Nasir Khan, the city chief commissioner, and other police officials the day before, for criminal contempt of court and obstruction of justice.
Justice Babar Sattar presided over Afridi and Gulzar’s pleas and deemed the responses from the DC and SSP unsatisfactory. Both officials will be indicted for contempt of court in the next hearing. The court also ordered the release of Afridi and Gulzar while suspending the MPO orders against them, but they are prohibited from leaving the capital’s limits. The court also urged them not to make any statements on mainstream or social media during the ongoing case.
The hearing shed light on the incidents of May 9 and the alleged plans of attack on the district courts. The judge questioned how Afridi could plot an attack while in jail and why no action was taken against the jail administration. The judge also expressed dissatisfaction with the intelligence reports and ordered the IG to submit a detailed report to the court.
The court suspended the MPO order against Afridi and allowed him to return to his home in Islamabad. It also suspended Gulzar’s detention order and ordered her release. Both Afridi and Gulzar were instructed to refrain from making any statements until the case concludes, and the judge held the IG and chief commissioner responsible for any harm that may come to them.
The next hearing has been scheduled for two weeks later. The court requested the jail superintendent to provide the record of the meetings Afridi had while in Adiala Jail and asked for the notification empowering DC Memon to issue the MPO order. The judge also inquired about the delegation of this authority by the government.
Overall, the IHC’s decision allows Afridi and Gulzar to go home, while holding officials accountable for contempt of court. The court has emphasized the need for justice and a fair process in this case.