RAWALPINDI – Police detained Qasim Zaman, a cousin of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, the sources familiar with the development said on Wednesday.
Qasim Zaman was taken into custody at Factory Naka near Adiala Jail after reaching the area to meet Khan. Tuesday is designated for visits by Khan’s family members and legal team, and he was there to meet him.
According to the detention order issued by the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner, the Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) recommended Qasim Zaman’s detention following a report from the Station House Officer (SHO) of Saddar Beruni police station.
The order described Qasim Zaman as a political activist and alleged that he was involved in planning and encouraging unlawful gatherings, violence and speeches that could threaten human lives or result in damage to public and private property.
It further alleged that Qasim Zaman could incite people to engage in violence, damage property and interfere with government officials performing their duties.
The authorities said his presence outside detention could pose a threat to public peace, security and tranquillity.
The CPO recommended that Qasim Zaman be detained for 30 days under Section 3(1) of the MPO Ordinance, 1960, as a preventive measure to avert activities deemed harmful to public safety and the maintenance of public order.
Reacting to the detention, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed concern and confirmed that he had received information about the arrest of Imran Khan’s cousin.
Speaking to the media, Gohar said Zaman was not involved in politics and had never addressed the media outside the jail.
He termed the detention of what he described as a peaceful and non-political individual regrettable.
