Qureshi held under MPO law shortly before release in cipher case

ISLAMABAD: PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi was Tuesday detained under the 3MPO shortly before the issuance of his release orders by the Special Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain in the cipher case.

As the judge issued the release orders Tuesday night, the court staff reached the Adiala Jail and showed the release orders to the jail superintendent. But they were told that Qureshi had been detained for 15 days under the MPO.

Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hasan Waqar Cheema issued the detention order.

Qureshi’s family arrived at the Special Court to pay his surety bond but before they could obtain the robkar (release order), it emerged that the deputy commissioner had issued an order for his detention under the MPO for 15 days.

The order said the city police officer (CPO) had intimated via a letter that Qureshi was a member of a political party involved in anti-state activities and causing damage to public and private property.

The letter said it was “probable that after his release from jail, he will again continue his above activities which may lead to law and order situation, harmful to life and property of general public.”

The letter said the Rawalpindi CPO recommended that Qureshi be detained for 45 days to prevent him from his unlawful activities.

The letter added that the Rawalpindi District Intelligence Committee had also endorsed the police department’s stance and agreed to Qureshi’s detention.

Thus, Cheema said he was satisfied that Qureshi’s “detention is necessary and expedient in public interest”.

The order added that Qureshi had the right to appeal to the Punjab government against the order.

His daughter Meher Bano Qureshi said the process for her father’s release on bail in the cipher case was his legal right and the family would continue to pursue it.