LHC ordered immediate release of PTI activist Sanam Javed

The Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the immediate release of PTI supporter and activist Sanam Javed in the Gujranwala case. This order came while responding to Sanam Javed’s petition challenging her arrest in the relevant case.

A two-member bench led by Justice Asjad Javed Gharal of LHC heard this case. They issued a written ruling comprised of a 14-page written verdict.

According to the court’s ruling, the petitioner’s name (Sanam) being brought up again in the same case showed hostile intent of law enforcement officials. It believes there was an attempt to sabotage the legal system by petitioner’s frequent arrests following her release.

LHC also mentioned in its ruling that deputy commissioners of Lahore and Gujranwala issued arrest orders for Sanam Javed when she was already in jail.

Following this, the court agreed that the deputy commissioners should face strict consequences for their actions. However, it decided to hold off taking quick action against them while showing leniency.

It also instructed sending copies of the ruling to all deputy commissioners, Inspector General Police of Punjab (IGP), and judicial officials. Ultimately, LHC ordered the immediate release of PTI activist Sanam Javed.

*Gujranwala Police arrested Sanam on April 3 in connection with May 9 riots*

Click here to read the updates on Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed arrested again in the Mianwali case

However, Sanam Javed has been serving imprisonment in Gujranwala jail since April 3, 2024. This arrest came just one day after her release from Sargodha jail for vandalism charges on May 9, 2023.

The deputy commissioner of Gujranwala ordered his subordinates to arrest Sanam while charging her with vandalism. She was accused of participating in the May 9 riots, which erupted on the very first arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

Gujranwala police also accused her of burning the Gujranwala police station during the May 9 incidents and violent protests. However, she was in Lahore when the May 9 incidents happened. Considering this, LHC acquitted her.

May 9 riots date back to 2023 when Islamabad police arrested Imran Khan from court in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Since then, several PTI supporters, workers, and leaders, including Imran Khan, have served imprisonment.