ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued a notice to the inspector general of Islamabad police on a contempt petition filed over the re-arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Shehryar Afridi following the order of his release.

Afridi’s counsel Sher Afzal Khan Marwat informed the court that the PTI leader was not set free despite the court order and neither was he produced before any other court.

He told the court that Afridi has been kept in a very small cell in the Adiala Jail in violation of the court’s order.

IHC Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir asked from the state’s counsel to respond and give a reason for non compliance with his order. The court would take up this case on Friday (today).

IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri sought a reply from the senior superintendent of police (operations) of Islamabad on the raid and alleged harassment of the family of PTI General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan.

Justice Jahangiri restrained the police from harassing the family of the PTI leader. The court was told that the police raided Khan’s house without any search warrants. He said that police also took the car from the house and requested for its return. Further hearing in this case has been adjourned till June 6.

Meanwhile, former speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser approached the IHC to obtain restraining order against his possible arrest under Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

Qaiser filed a petition before the IHC citing secretary (interior), IG and district magistrate Islamabad as respondents.

The counsel argued that Qaiser was on pre arrest bail in the two first information reports (FIRs) registered in Islamabad. He requested the court to restrain the police from arresting him. He further requested that the district magistrate should be directed to explain the reason for his possible arrest.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2023