KARACHI, March 10: The jail authorities on Friday refused to release Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed, arguing they would remain confined for another 30 days under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO).

A large number of relatives, friends and sympathizers of the doctor brothers, with their lawyers, approached the Central Jail for their release after their acquittal by the Sindh High Court, but they were informed that both the doctors had been detained for another 30 days on the directives of the Sindh home department.

Lawyer Illyas Khan termed their detention as contempt of court and said he would approach the court against their illegal detention.

Deputy Parliamentary Party leader of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Nasarullah Shajee condemned their detention and termed it a ridiculous move by the Sindh government.

Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) also condemned the detention of both the doctor brothers and said it reserves the right to adopt any peaceful means to lodge protest against illegal detention of its members.

Earlier, in a statement, the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association had welcomed the judgment of the Sindh High Court.

PIMA Karachi President Dr Misbahul Haq, vice president Dr Sohail Akhtar and other office-bearers termed the decision as “success of the truth” and said it has restored the confidence of the people in judiciary.

“PIMA believes that our two doctor colleagues never committed any act against the rules or medical ethics,” they said.—PPI