ISLAMABAD:The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday declared the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan and Maleeka Bukhari unlawful and issued orders for their immediate release.

Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the petition against the detention of PTI leaders under the MPO (Maintenance of Public Order). It may be noted that after the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan, police detained several leaders, including Asad Umar and Shah Mehmood Qureshi, in view of the fear of disruption of peace.

The law-enforcement agencies launched a massive crackdown on PTI leaders, workers and supporters across the country as a large number of party’s protesters including dozens of leaders were arrested and cases were filed against them for resorting to violent protests, torching public as well as private properties and vehicles especially Lahore Corp Commander’s house. Ali Muhammad Khan and Maleeka Bukhari were arrested in Islamabad on May 11.

As the protests turned violent across the country after the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case, the Shehbaz-led government tightened the noose around the PTI leaders and activists, arresting key leaders including women. Since Imran Khan’s arrest on Tuesday, angry mobs attacked several public and private properties including army-owned buildings, torched vehicles and injured several law enforcers.