The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared the arrest of former federal minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Shireen Mazari ‘unlawful’.
IHC’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani announced the reserved decision, stating that Mazari’s arrest by the Punjab Anti-Corruption Department on May 21, 2022, was illegal.
“The arrest was carried out without legal justification,” remarked Justice Kayani.
The court ordered the Establishment Division secretary and the Punjab Home Department to investigate the matter. Additionally, it nullified the commission’s report regarding her arrest.
The court’s decision mandates a thorough review of the procedures followed during Mazari’s arrest.
Mazari’s Arrests
Mazari was first arrested on May 12, 2022, under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (3MPO). She was re-arrested outside her residence in Islamabad by the Punjab police after securing bail from the Lahore High Court (LHC). Mazari’s lawyer, Barrister Ahsan J. Pirzada, confirmed her re-arrest, noting it was the “fourth time” in ten days.
Earlier this year, on March 19, a Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) issued arrest warrants for several top PTI leaders, including more than two dozen current and former assembly members, in connection with violent attacks on sensitive state installations on May 9 of the previous year. Mazari was among those for whom warrants were issued, charged with conspiracy in cases registered at RA Bazaar, Race Course, New Town, Civil Lines, Sadiqabad, and other police stations.
