- Says he will meet with party chairman Imran Khan tomorrow, address the media in detail
RAWALPINDI: PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday said that he would meet party chief Imran Khan on Wednesday (tomorrow) and share his analysis of the political scenario prevailed in the country after he was release from Adiala Jail after almost a month of incarceration.
“The flag of justice is in my hand today and I am a part of a movement that wants to see a free Pakistan”, Qureshi stated while speaking to the media after his release. He expressed gratitude to the lawyers, the PTI and all the people.
On the occasion, Qureshi advised the PTI workers to remain steadfast, saying that “hope will surely rise soon”.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was released from Adiala Jail hours after the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench declared his detention ‘illegal’ on Tuesday.
The PTI leader said that after meeting with party chairman Imran Khan, he will address the media in detail. “We will try to bring out the innocent people in jail by initiating legal proceedings for their release,” he informed.
The PTI leader said he would meet Imran tomorrow. “I have spent a month in solitary confinement and got time to reflect and think on a lot of things … tomorrow I will meet Imran Khan and present him my political analysis and seek guidance,” he stated.
Qureshi went also thanked his God, his family, the PTI, courts and his legal team for working day and night for his release.
“I was re-arrested under the MPO […] I don’t think there was ground for the arrest because how can a prisoner in jail indulge in public disorder? Who can I contact, instruct or incite?”
Addressing PTI supporters, he said, “This is a testing and difficult time but don’t lose hope because after every night there is a dawn.”
“I think in different jails there are countless innocent people who should be released. I will try, and we will pursue their cases after consultation with our legal team,” Qureshi added.
LHC orders release of Pindi bench
Earlier, High court judge Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz announced the verdict and ordered Qureshi to submit an affidavit to the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner within three days of his release.
The verdict maintained that the ex-minister would be able to conduct peaceful political activities according to the Constitution and law, and could address peaceful protests. It mandated that he stay away from protests that include vandalism, sieges and burning.
The superintendent of the Adiala jail was ordered to immediately release Qureshi.
During the hearing, the court told the law officer to bring forth any speeches or protests Qureshi led, adding that no political leader could control their words in a political gathering.
The judge told the law officer to produce any evidence against the PTI VC before the court. To this, the law officer asked for two days before they could present the evidence.
Qureshi was arrested last month by the Islamabad police on multiple charges, including “inciting violent protests”, following PTI chief Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9.
On May 18, the Islamabad High Court had ordered the former foreign minister’s release. However, his release was delayed due to his apparent reluctance to provide an undertaking to refrain from engaging in “unruly” protests.
When Qureshi was finally set free on May 23, he was again taken into custody by Punjab police from outside Adiala Jail after his detention orders were issued by the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner.
Earlier today, the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Rawalpindi bench ordered the PTI leader’s immediate release and set aside his detention orders.
