The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) to appear in person by November 3, following an unsatisfactory report submitted by the City Police Officer (CCPO) in the case involving designer Khadija Shah.
Shah, who was apprehended in connection with the May 9 protests related to social media posts in support of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has filed a plea requesting contempt proceedings against police authorities. She alleges that she was arrested in a third case and that the court was not informed about two prior FIRs against her.
Despite obtaining bail from the LHC in two cases, involving the arson at Askari Tower and vandalism at the Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), she was arrested in another case, accused of abetting arson at Rahat Bakery.
During the recent hearing, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the LHC expressed dissatisfaction with the report presented by the Lahore CCPO.
The CCPO informed the court that the report was provided to him by the IGP and stated that Shah was initially wanted in two FIRs. However, additional accused individuals arrested in connection with the May 9 protests alleged that the fashion designer had incited them to create chaos if former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested.
The court took note of the discrepancy, emphasizing the absence of mention of the third case in the police report.
Consequently, the court summoned the IGP in a personal capacity for the next hearing on November 3.
Earlier, on October 18, a division bench of the LHC, led by Justice Aalia Neelum, granted post-arrest bail to Shah in the Askari Tower and Lahore Corps Commander’s House cases. The bench determined that the evidence failed to establish Shah’s involvement in the incidents.
Shah was initially detained on May 23 as part of the law enforcement agencies’ crackdown on individuals believed to be involved in the May 9 protests.
