ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has termed the reply of the inspector general of police (IGP) unsatisfactory which had been submitted in a contempt case regarding the re-arrest of former Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shireen Mazari.

IGP Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan submitted the reply in response to a show-cause notice issued to him for detaining Dr Mazari while ignoring the court’s direction to release her.

Justice Aurangzeb observed that the report submitted by the inspector general of police, Islamabad, had not been found satisfactory for the closure of these proceedings.

IG Khan sought permission to submit an additional reply to the show-cause notice, adding that he would file the reply after consulting with the additional attorney general.

The court directed him to inform about the officers of the Islamabad police who were in charge during the process of detaining Dr Mazari.

Further hearing in the matter has been adjourned till June 26.

On May 22, former human rights minister Dr Shireen Mazari was taken into custody from outside Adiala jail for the fifth time in 12 days despite court orders for her release.

The court had nullified the second detention order issued against Mr Mazari under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO). The next day, the IHC summoned the IG Islamabad in response to a petition seeking initiation of contempt of court proceeding against IG Khan.

Later on the same day, Dr Mazari addressing the media in which he announced that she was quitting the PTI. She said she was not only leaving the party but also active politics.

She stated that her health and her daughter had both suffered extensively during her 12-day detention.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2023