PML-N leader Javed Latif arrested as court denies bail

Counsel says case politically motivated; PML-N leader didn't utter anti-state remarks

LAHORE:

 

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Javed Latif was arrested on Tuesday after his bail was denied by the court in the anti-state rhetoric case.

An additional district and sessions judge dismissed the pre-arrest bail of the accused, which was sought in the case related to alleged remarks against the state, its institutions and their integrity, spreading chaos and panic among the people.

The MNA's counsel implored the court that a specific portion of the petitioner's interview was lifted for the FIR merely to create a wrong impression against him.

He added that the case was purely politically motivated and his client was being victimised. No sedition case could be registered relying upon optical statements, he maintained.

On the other hand, the law officer strongly opposed the bail, arguing that the sections imposed were non-bailable.

According to the officer, the accused had committed an offence by speaking against the country and its institutions.

At this, the petitioner's counsel explained that Latif was speaking about a conspiracy, which according to him, had been hatched against PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz. "So, how does this statement fall under sedition charges," he asked.

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He said, “Such policies give birth to traitors and [we] should avoid the same. Instead, our policies should be such that they create patriots.

"If drawing attention towards a loophole and mistake is a problem, then he [Latif] is ready for execution.”

The easiest thing to do, the counsel maintained, is to award the title of a traitor.

Explaining the petitioner's remarks, the counsel said, "PPP leader Benazir Bhutto had expressed before her murder that her life had been threatened. It was the responsibility of the state to protect her.”

The petitioner, he added, had explained in the talk show that his party leader Maryam received a threatening call and, if she was not provided protection, they would bring to book those who failed to protect her.

"What [is] the benefit of chanting slogans of Pakistan Khappay or Pakistan Zindabad if we are not in a position to protect the Constitution,” the counsel concluded.

The court, however, dismissed the bail plea of the accused, leading to his immediate arrest.