A district court in Islamabad on Tuesday rejected Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed’s post-arrest bail plea in a case related to baseless allegations against former president Asif Ali Zardari.
Judicial Magistrate Umer Shabbir announced the verdict which he reserved earlier today after hearing arguments of Rashid’s lawyers. Sheikh Rasheed’s lawyers Sardar Abdur Razzaq and Intezar Panjhota appeared before the court meanwhile Judicial Magistrate heard the case.
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In Today’s hearing, Sheikh Rasheed’s lawyer told the court that his client had referred to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairperson’s statement and was not part of the conspiracy. “Sheikh Rasheed did not hurled accusations against Zardari but he only quoted Imran Khan.”
He also raised questions about the action against the former interior minister. Sheikh Rasheed’s lawyer told the court that there was no political campaign or untoward incident over his client’s statement.
While urging the court to accept the bail plea, Intezar Panjotha also told the court that the sections added in the FIR against Rashid can only be included if a state officer is a complainant.
AML Chief and former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed’s counsel told that Police investigators have not found anything suspicious during the physical remand of Rasheed.
The judge told the lawyers that their client gave a statement against Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah in a hospital and asked whether there was a chance of anarchy spreading in the country due to the statement.
At this, Rasheeid’s lawyer told the court that the Islamabad High Court had suspended the application related to this, adding that the statement came during detention which is why it holds no importance.
The Prosecution lawyer contended that AMLChief wanted a collision between the PTI and PPP. He added that there was a chance of anarchy spreading in the country with Rashid’s statement.
The prosecution also told the court that the high court in its order had only stopped the summoning of Rasheed. He added that the former interior minister’s attitude during detention was also casual.
“Sheikh Rasheed was arrested with a lot of difficulties. If he is granted bail, he will run away,” said the prosecutor as he opposed the bail plea.
Keeping the whole case in view Islamabad local court Judge rejects the Post-Bail Plea of Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed. However, the court in its verdict allowed the AML chief to sign his nomination papers for the NA-60 and NA-62 by-polls.
Remember that Sheikh Rasheed, who is a close ally of PTI chairman Imran Khan, is currently on a 14-day judicial remand in Adayla Jail.
Sheikh Rasheed Arrest
Former Federal Interior Minister and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was taken into custody by Punjab police in Rawalpindi in the early hours of Thursday last week.
His Nephew Rashid Shafiq said that a heavy contingent of Police along with black vigo reached the residence of AML chief Sheikh Rashid located in a private housing society of Rawalpindi and arrested him. He also alleged that police have not informed the family in which case Sheikh Rashid has been taken into custody.
It is to be pertinent here that Sheikh Rasheed is booked under three sections — 120B (criminal conspiracy), 153A (promoting enmity between different groups), and 505 (statements conducing to public mischief).
Sheikh Rasheed Arrested over baseless allegations against PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
According to the Police officials, a bottle of liquor and a weapon has been recovered from Sheikh Rashid’s possession. Police claimed that Sheikh Rasheed has been arrested in a state of intoxication.
After his arrest, Police Shifted Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed to Abpara Police Station Islamabad.
Sources said that PPP’s Rawalpindi Division President Raja Inayat-ur-Rehman had filed a case against the former federal minister in Islamabad’s Aabpara police station for the baseless allegations at former president Asif Ali Zardari for making a plan to assassinate Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.
