Fashion designer and social media activist Khadijah Shah has been arrested by Quetta police on charges of murder and attempted murder. On the other hand, her detention order was withdrawn by the Punjab government on Monday, adding a new twist to the case.
Quetta police arrested Khadijah on Monday afternoon, and the anti-terrorism court granted her two-day transit remand to the police.
The police had filed an application in the ATC seeking transit remand, citing a murder and attempted murder case registered against Shah in Quetta's Bijli Road police station. The police said in the application that the suspect's warrant has been obtained from the ATC of Quetta.
The ATC directed the police to produce her in the relevant court in two days.
Earlier on Monday, the Punjab government withdrew her detention order issued earlier. This action came in response to a petition filed by Shah's husband, Jahanzeb Amin, challenging the detention.
The Lahore High Court had previously ordered Khadijah Shah to appear before them on Monday afternoon. It also ordered the police to produce Shah at 2:30pm.
Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the petition filed against Khadijah Shah's detention.
Legal battle likely to continue:
The withdrawal of the detention order throws the case into further uncertainty. Shah's legal team is likely to challenge the Quetta arrest and charges against her. Meanwhile, authorities in Quetta will continue their investigations and seek to bring Shah before the court.
