Quetta police granted two-day transitory remand of Khadija Shah in May 9 case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday granted Quetta police two-day transitory remand of fashion designer and PTI supporter Khadija Shah in a case pertaining to violent protests in the country on May 9.

Shah — currently incarcerated in Kot Lakhpat Jail — was arrested in cases of attacks on Lahore corps commander house, Askari Tower and torching police vehicles near Rahat bakery in cantonment. So far, all the cases registered against her were being heard in Lahore.

On Nov 15, an anti-terrorism court had granted Shah bail in the fourth and last case of May 9 protests against her. However, she was re-arrested on Nov 17 under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance for 30 days.

Shah had subsequently challenged the detention in the Lahore High Court as “unlawful and unconstitutional”.

Today, the Punjab government submitted a notification in the LHC, stating that it had withdrawn Shah’s detention orders “with immediate affect”.

However, before Shah could be released, the Quetta police filed a request in the ATC of Judge Abhar Gul seeking the PTI supporter’s transit remand. The court accepted the request and granted the investigating officer Shah’s custody for two days.

It also directed the Quetta police to present Shah in court on Dec 13.

Meanwhile, during the hearing on Shah’s petition against her detention under 3MPO today, LHC’s Justice Ali Baqar Najafi was told about the ATC decision to remand the PTI supporter in Quetta police custody.

The judge subsequently directed the police to present Shah in court by 2:30pm, warning that he would otherwise summon the Punjab police chief over the matter.

Shah’s legal troubles
Shah’s legal situation stems from her arrest during the nationwide unrest on May 9 and 10, triggered by the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. The ensuing protests turned violent and included attacks on military and state installations.

On the same day, Shah shared videos on her social media accounts, showcasing her involvement in the PTI protest outside the Jinnah House, the residence of the Lahore corps commander. Subsequently, numerous protesters were detained, and Shah faced multiple charges for her alleged role in vandalism and attacks on security installations.

Shah had voluntarily turned herself in to the police on May 23 after her name was associated with the May 9 riots, leading to her arrest on the same day. The designer is implicated in four cases connected to the events of May 9. She secured bail in all cases but had thus far been unable to secure release.