The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the authorities to present Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari before the court by 11:30 PM, as it reopened after working hours for a petition filed by her daughter seeking Mazari's release.
The former human rights minister was arrested earlier today in Islamabad over a property dispute case.
Chief Justice Athar Minallah ordered Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Interior Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokar to present Mazari before the court by 11:30 PM tonight.
In the notice, the Chief Justice also asked them to explain why this 'fundamental violation of rights' took place. Notices have also been sent to the Attorney General and the Advocate General of Islamabad.
Justice Minallah reopened the High Court after it had closed for the day to hear a petition filed by Imaan Mazari, daughter of the detained minister.
Imaan filed an instant writ petition, which was also signed by PTI lawyers, under Article 199 of the Constitution which allows a petitioner to move a high court for the enforcement of any of the Fundamental Rights.
The petition demanded that a production order be issued for Shireen Mazari, and that law enforcement agencies be restrained from 'extending threats' to the petitioner and her family.
"It is in the public knowledge that the petitioner's mother was a furious critic of the violation of human rights in the hands of the law enforcement agencies. [...] It is also on record that petitioner and her mother were often made targets for their bold and straightforward stance with regard to human rights violations in the country," the petition said.
In addition to Imaan, PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Zulfi Bukhari and Farrukh Habib were also present at the High court.
According to sources, after the arrest, Shireen Mazari was being transported to Dera Ismail Khan. However, the convoy turned back towards Rawalpindi midway, and she is now being detained at the Rawalpindi jail.
Developing story: updates to follow.
The former human rights minister was arrested earlier today in Islamabad over a property dispute case.
Chief Justice Athar Minallah ordered Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Interior Secretary Yousaf Naseem Khokar to present Mazari before the court by 11:30 PM tonight.
In the notice, the Chief Justice also asked them to explain why this 'fundamental violation of rights' took place. Notices have also been sent to the Attorney General and the Advocate General of Islamabad.
Justice Minallah reopened the High Court after it had closed for the day to hear a petition filed by Imaan Mazari, daughter of the detained minister.
Imaan filed an instant writ petition, which was also signed by PTI lawyers, under Article 199 of the Constitution which allows a petitioner to move a high court for the enforcement of any of the Fundamental Rights.
The petition demanded that a production order be issued for Shireen Mazari, and that law enforcement agencies be restrained from 'extending threats' to the petitioner and her family.
"It is in the public knowledge that the petitioner's mother was a furious critic of the violation of human rights in the hands of the law enforcement agencies. [...] It is also on record that petitioner and her mother were often made targets for their bold and straightforward stance with regard to human rights violations in the country," the petition said.
In addition to Imaan, PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Zulfi Bukhari and Farrukh Habib were also present at the High court.
According to sources, after the arrest, Shireen Mazari was being transported to Dera Ismail Khan. However, the convoy turned back towards Rawalpindi midway, and she is now being detained at the Rawalpindi jail.
Developing story: updates to follow.