LHC seeks replies in sedition case against Gill

Summons interior, Punjab home secretaries on Jan 26

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday summoned Federal Interior Secretary Yousuf Naseem Khokar and the Punjab home secretary on Jan 26 to determine whether a new FIR had been registered against PTI leader Shahbaz Gill.

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh heard the sedition case against Gill.

On Jan 19, Justice Tariq had granted protective bail to Gill. However, on Jan 24 (Tuesday), Raja Rizwan Abbasi, the federal special public prosecutor, apprised the court that an FIR had been registered against the PTI leader.

As proceedings commenced, Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Allah Dita Naseem apprised the court that the Islamabad deputy superintendent of police (legal) and the Federal Investigation Agency (Lahore Zone) additional director made it clear that no fresh FIR was registered against Gill.

DAG Naseem apprised the court that AIG Legal Punjab stated that there were only three FIRs registered against Gill but all those cases were wrapped up.

The petitioner’s counsel, Rana Abdul Shakoor Khan, contended that there were a total of four, not three, FIRs against Gill. He apprised the court that the FIA was working in multiple zones.

“If FIA’s Lahore Zone confirms that no FIR was registered, how can we rely merely on the Lahore Zone keeping aside others,” Shakoor argued.

Read Shahbaz Gill granted protective bail in fresh case

He maintained that it was the job of the interior ministry to give some confirmation to the court whether an FIR was registered.

Justice Tariq, addressing DAG Naseem, remarked that he said that no new FIR was registered while the special public prosecutor confirmed it. He added that the factor of political victimisation could not be discounted.

Justice Tariq directed DAG Naseem to give his statement in writing that no FIR was registered against Gill. To this, Naseem replied that he was not in a position to give something in writing.

The hearing was adjourned till Jan 26.

Background

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted post-arrest bail to Gill in the sedition case against him. Subsequently, the respondent challenged this order in the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the federal special public prosecutor filed an application withdrawing the aforesaid appeal contending that Gill had repeated the offence and consequently a new FIR had been registered against him.

After that, Gill filed for a protective bail at the LHC.