ISLAMABAD: Rights activist Gulalai Ismail on Thursday thanked Prime Minister Imran Khan for playing a role for her release.

In a tweet, she said: “Thank you PM @ImranKhanPTI for ensuring my release. These were tedious 30 hours for my family. Please help to bring out our other 17 friends.”

Ms Ismail and 17 others associated with the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) were arrested on Tuesday and detained after a protest held outside the National Press Club.

Ms Ismail was kept at a place in Sector G-9 under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order ordinance. Usually, suspects are released after taking a surety bond.

However, her case was different. Some time ago, a First Information Report was registered against Ms Ismail in Swabi due to which she was arrested at the Islamabad airport after which she had to sign a surety bond.

“Since she once again participated in similar activities, therefore, she was arrested again [on Tuesday] and it was decided that she would not be released. However, finally it was decided to release her but this time her lawyer has also signed a surety bond,” sources said.

Ms Ismail has participated in a number of events of the PTM and addressed its gatherings.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2019