Top leaders of jailed ex-PM Khan’s party in Pakistan released after brief detention

Senior leaders of Pakistan's opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were released shortly after being detained by police outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on Tuesday.

The leaders, including Asad Qaiser, Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Ahmad Khan Bhachar, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza of the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), were attempting to meet PTI founder Imran Khan when they were detained for violating Section 144, a public order that restricts gatherings.

Following their release, Qaiser spoke to the media, calling the detention unlawful. "We were illegally detained," he said. "We came to meet our party’s founder, Imran Khan, and after waiting for hours, we were detained," he added.

Qaiser also confirmed that PTI leaders would hold a press conference in Islamabad to address the issue.

Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub condemned the detention of senior party leaders. "Opposition leaders from the Senate, National Assembly, and Punjab Assembly were held in unlawful detention," Ayub said. "We strongly condemn this action."

Released after 'warning'

Police confirmed the leaders were detained under Section 144 for their attempted gathering but stated that after issuing warnings, the workers and leaders were released.

"Those detained were warned for violating Section 144, and they were sent on their way after their release," a police spokesperson said. "The rule of law will be ensured at all costs."

Earlier, PTI lawyer Faisal Hussain informed that the meeting with Imran Khan today was ordered by Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Last month, the IHC had eased some restrictions on PTI founder, allowing him to receive visits from family, lawyers, and party members.

The court ordered Adiala Jail officials to provide all permissible amenities, including access to newspapers and potential arrangements for WhatsApp communication, as per jail regulations.

PTI’s legal troubles

Imran Khan and many of his party leaders are facing multiple cases, including charges of violating anti-terrorism laws, brought since Imran Khan was removed as premier in 2022 and launched a protest movement against a coalition of his rivals led by current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He denies all the charges, saying they are trumped up by the government to discredit the 72-year-old former cricket star, who remains widely popular and whose candidates won the most seats in February's general election.

The Shehbaz-led government says it does not interfere in the judicial process. Imran Khan's standoff with the country's military, who he says backs Shehbaz, has spawned the worst political turmoil in decades in the nation of 241 million people.