ISLAMABAD: The Isla­mabad High Court (IHC) on Monday restrained the Capital Police from arresting rights activist Imaan Mazari-Hazir without seeking prior permission from the court to do so.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb issued the order while hearing the petition urging the court to restrain the police from arresting Ms Mazari-Hazir in any criminal case.

The petition also sought details of cases registered against her.

AAG Munawar Iqbal Dogal said provinces had been asked for details. He said Ms Mazari-Hazir was on bail in three cases registered against her on allegations of making anti-state speeches and raising funds for a banned outfit.

Justice Aurangzeb disposed of the petition with the direction that Ms Mazari-Hazir would not be arrested in any case registered against her after Aug 20 while she was in the police custody. He further directed that in case the police required her custody, then it must inform the court prior to her arrest.

In a separate development, an anti-terrorism court handed over the custody of former MNA Ali Wazir in connection with an FIR registered against him on allegations of terror financing and anti-state activities.

During the hearing, Mr Wazir’s counsel informed the ATC judge that Ms Mazari-Hazir, who was also nominated an accused in the same case, had already been released on bail.

The prosecutor, on the other hand, argued that police required Mr Wazir’s custody to interrogate him to recover evidence.

The judge granted Mr Wazir’s physical remand for three days.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2023