Sedition And Terrorism Case: Wasim Akhtar’s protective bail extended

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court extended till February 10 the protective bail granted to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Wasim Akhtar in a sedition and terrorism case. Headed by Justice Ahmed Ali M Sheikh, the division bench extended the bail on Monday allowing Akhtar’s request for exemption from personal appearance for being out of the country. Last month, the court had granted protective pre-arrest bail to the MQM’s mayoral nominee for Karachi in two cases lodged against him for allegedly defending party chief Altaf Hussain’s speeches against national institutions. Akhtar’s counsel advocate Khawaja Naveed Ahmed moved an application seeking exemption for the MQM leader’s personal appearance in court on the ground that he was out of the country. The bench allowed the request and adjourned hearing till February 10. Till then, Akhtar’s protective bail was also extended.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2016.