RAWALPINDI: Police on Tuesday detained Qasim Zaman, a cousin of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960.
Zaman was taken into custody at Factory Naka near Adiala Jail after arriving there to meet Khan, as Tuesday is a designated visitation day for Khan’s family members and legal team.
According to a detention order issued by the deputy commissioner Rawalpindi, the City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi had recommended Zaman’s detention on the basis of a report submitted by the SHO of Saddar Beruni police station.
The order said that Zaman was a political activist who was “instigating/planning” to organise unlawful assemblies, commit violence and deliver speeches that could cause damage to human life and public and private property.
It further stated that he was inciting the public to commit violence, damage public and private property and obstruct public officials in the performance of their duties.
The order said Zaman’s presence at large was likely to disturb public peace, safety and tranquillity.
The CPO recommended his detention for 30 days under Section 3(1) of the MPO Ordinance to prevent him from acting in a manner considered prejudicial to public safety and to ensure maintenance of public order.
PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the detention, saying he had received information that Khan’s cousin had been taken into custody by police.
Talking to media, Gohar said Zaman was a completely non-political person who had never held a media talk outside jail.
He said it was regrettable that a “non-political and peaceful” person had been detained in this manner.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments