NAROWAL: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Umar Dar returned home after spending two-and-a-half months in jail.

Dar, the son of Rehana Imtiaz Dar, the candidate supported by the PTI in NA-71 Sialkot, was released on bail after 75 days.

On coming out of jail, a large number of PTI workers garlanded him and showered him with flower petals. They raised slogans in favour of their party and Umar Dar. At his home, his mother Rehana Imtiaz Dar received him and mother and son hugged each other.

Speaking to the workers, Dar said he had returned to his home after 10 months. He said that after May 9, persecution of the PTI workers had started. He said God had given him courage and strength due to which he had reached his home. He said his wishes and prayers were with all the workers and leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) who were missing from their homes or locked up in jails since May 9. He paid tributes to his mother for her courage.

Umar Dar went underground after the May 9 while police and security agencies kept looking for him. He was arrested 75 days ago by police and security agencies from a hotel during a joint operation. He was booked in the cases registered with various police stations of Sialkot.

Umar Dar’s brother had filed a petition in the high court for recovery of his brother as they could not find his whereabouts and the police were not showing his arrest.

Sialkot police admitted arresting him on the orders of the LHC 10 days after his arrest. His mother Rehana Dar had released a video on social media, alleging that her son was arrested to stop her from submitting nomination papers and contesting election against Khwaja Asif of the PML-N.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2024