ATC adjourns hearing of Dasti’s bail plea till June 23

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday adjourned the hearing in a bail case related to Member National Assembly Jamshed Dasti till June 23. Dasti was charged for forcibly opening a canal in Muzaffargarh that had been closed for months due to litigation.

Dasti was produced before the ATC under tight security while media personnel were not allowed to enter the court premises.

During the proceedings, Jamshed Dasti told the court about his reservations saying he faced inhumane treatment in the jail.

He added that he was kept separate from other inmates. He complained that he was not allowed to meet family members and friends.

The MNA said he protested in the Parliament during president’s speech in a democratic manner and he was being punished for the said purpose.



Similarly, in an extortion case against Dasti, the court rejected request of physical remand by the police.  After the proceedings, Jamshed Dasti was shifted to Central Jail, Dera Ghazi Khan.

Meanwhile, dozens of labourers and party workers staged a protest demonstration in favour of Dasti outside the court premises.

The protesters shouted slogans against the Punjab government and demanded release of their leader. The protesters said the government was trying to silence the voice of labourers.

On June 8, 2017, Dasti was arrested over instigating people to open the sluice gate at Kalu Headworks Channel to release water in Dinga Minor (Muzaffargarh Canal). However, he was arrested by Chowk Qureshi police shortly after his return from Islamabad.

The irrigation officials had warned him against opening the gate that had been closed for many months due to litigation.

Justifying his move, Dasti said Dinga Minor was closed and he released water into it to facilitate the farmers, who had been crying out for availability of water for crops.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2017.