Sanam Javaid, a prominent member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was once again arrested shortly after being released from custody, following her acquittal by an Islamabad court on Sunday.
The social media activist had initially been freed after months of imprisonment, only to be detained by Islamabad police soon after her release. This pattern has repeated multiple times, including a recent instance where she was released in Gujranwala only to be re-arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) moments later.
The Lahore High Court recently cleared Javaid of charges related to the May 9 riots and overturned a physical remand order issued by an anti-terrorism court. Despite this, she was promptly booked by the FIA in connection with new allegations stemming from the same events. Specifically, the FIA Cyber Crime Cell accused her of posting provocative statements on May 9, allegedly inciting violence against the Jinnah House.
Following her latest arrest, Javaid was transferred to Islamabad and brought before a district and sessions court. The magistrate initially acquitted her upon her request, but she was subsequently rearrested by Islamabad police. Details regarding the specific charges leading to her latest arrest have not been clarified.
Sanam Javaid has faced numerous legal challenges linked to the unrest following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. She has been acquitted in four cases so far and granted bail in eight others. Additionally, Javaid contested the February 8 general elections on PTI’s ticket from a provincial constituency in Punjab.
