IHC declares Asad Umar’s arrest under MPO “null and void”

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday declared PTI leader Asad Umar’s arrest under Section 3 of Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) null and void!

IHC also ordered the immediate release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Asad Umar.

The court also directed the PTI leader to submit an undertaking not to become a part of violent protests.

IHC’s Justice Mian Gul Hassan, while issuing the directives today, told Asad Umar to “forget” his political career in case he deviates from the undertaking.

The court also directed the PTI Secretary General to delete two tweets.

At this, Awan assured the court of compliance with the order.

“They will not spare you until you hold a press conference [to denounce May 9 violence],” the justice said.

At this, Asad Umar’s lawyer Babar Awan maintained that they would not hold a press conference.

Later, the court told Umar to submit the undertaking for not violating Section 144, recalling that the court had asked the same from Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

Asad Umar was taken into custody from the IHC premises under the MPO on May 10.

His arrest was made a day after violence ensued amid countrywide protests against PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest.

Various other top PTI leaders had also been detained from Islamabad within 24 hours of the outbreak of violent protests.