MWM Leader Arif Qanbri released from GB Jail after 2 months detention

Provincial Leader of Majlis-e-Wehdatul Muslimeen (MWM) Gilgit-Baltistan Arif Qanbri on Friday released from the GB prison after spending about two months over the charges of holding the rally against Saudi aggression on Yemen in Gilgit.

Arif Qanbri, who was also the former president of Pakistan’s leading Shiite Students Organization ISO, was detained by the Interim Government Of Gilgit-Baltistan from the Gilgit City two months back. The MWM Legal team filed his bail application which was approved by the Chief Court Of Gilgit-Baltistan yesterday. The Saudi-allied Nawaz Government had used its all pressure for not granting the bail to an educated Member of a Shiite religio-Political party but atlast MWM’s legal team succeeded to get Mr Qanbri bail in the case to condemn Saudi barbaric act on Yemen.

Its pertaining to mention here that The Gilgit Police has registered cases under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act against 7 leaders of the Majlis-e-Wehdatul Muslimeen (MWM) and the Imamia Students Organization (ISO).The cases have been registered at the City Police Station in Gilgit after an application was filed by Maulana Maqbool Mir.

According to details, the cases have been registered in reaction to ‘provocative’ and ‘anti-state’ speeches made by these leaders during a rally held to condemn Saudi Arabia led coalition’s attack on Yemen.

The booked leaders include Maulana Sheikh Bilal Shumayari, Maulana Sheikha Nayyar Abbas, Ghulam Abbas, Arif Qanbari, Sheikh Essa, Sheikh Shahadat and ISO’s president Jamal Haider, said a police source.

The sections under which case number 20/2015 has been registered are 124-A of PPC, related to act of treason, 505 (Spreading of mischief in public), 295-A (Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet), and section 8-A and 9 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), which relates to acts intended or likely to stir up sectarian hatred.

It is pertinent to note that a rally had also been held in 1st April yesterday to condemn the MWM/ISO rally. A number of political and religious groups have also announced to hold a rally on Friday to condemn and reject the MWM/ISO rally.