PESHAWAR, Dec 15: The Supreme Court of Pakistan declined here on Friday to release Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmad till final disposal of his appeal.

A single bench of the court, comprising Justice Mian Mohammad Ajmal, turned down an application moved on behalf of Qazi Hussain Ahmad for interim relief after his counsel refused to furnish an affidavit that he would not meet any political figure or party worker if released by the court.

The bench also directed that the appeal filed against the judgment of the Peshawar High Court should be placed before a division bench. On request of the appellant’s counsel that early hearing should be held in the appeal, the bench directed him to file an application before the Chief Justice of Pakistan in that regard.

The high court had rejected on Nov 28 the petition of Qazi Hussain Ahmad, challenging his detention under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance. Initially, he was detained for one month. However, after the expiry of that period on Dec 6 his detention was extended for another month.

In the instant application, the JI chief had requested the apex court to release him till final decision in his appeal. The bench observed that how could interim relief be granted to him as the main prayer in his appeal was also of the same nature.

The bench observed that the applicant could be permitted if he agreed to furnish an affidavit wherein he promised not to meet any political leader or worker or to give any political statement.

After consultation with each other the counsel argued that the applicant was a political figure and leaders and activists would definitely visit him. They added that how could he turn away the visitors on that occasion.

The applicant’s counsel argued that the applicant was a respectable citizen and was entitled to be released on parole. The counsel stated that appeal against the verdict of the high court had been pending before the Supreme Court and as it would be heard later on, the applicant be, in the meantime, released till such time.