A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge while granting interim bail to former federal interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq on personal surety in other cases related to the May 9 incidents, issued notices to the state seeking its response by November 18.
The development came just a day after a Rawalpindi-based ATC granted interim bail to the Awami Muslim League (AML) chief against surety bonds worth Rs50,000, restraining the Waris Khan police from arresting Rashid for at least one week in connection with the case pertaining to the incidents of May 9.
Defence counsel, Advocate Sardar Abdul Raziq Khan, pleaded the cases on behalf of the applicants.
The defence counsel adopted the stance that the former security czar and his nephew were nominated as accused on September 29 through supplementary statements in all the cases of May 9. “Putting the names of Sheikh Rashid and Rashid Shafiq in all the cases on the same day is the worst example of political vendetta and misuse of powers,” the counsel argued. “The supplementary statement has no legal status,” he maintained.
Read ATC grants Sheikh Rashid interim bail
The defence counsel apprised the court that on a writ petition filed by the former interior minister, the Punjab Inspector General of Police informed the High Court that there was no case against him but after his arrest, Rashid was implicated in false cases through supplementary statements. “The former federal minister has condemned the events of May 9 many times,” the counsel said.
During the course of the hearing, Rashid and his nephew, Shafiq, were also present in the court. Later, the court granted interim bail on personal surety to both of them until November 18 and directed the station house officers of both police stations to produce the complete record of the cases and evidence before the court on the next date of hearing.
On May 9, 2023, violent protesters ransacked the residence of Corps Commander Lahore and broke the gates of General Headquarters in Rawalpindi following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court.
There was extensive damage done to the sensitive government and military installations as a result of the protests quickly becoming violent and engaging law enforcement.
The government responded with a mobile internet blockade and a crackdown against PTI’s leaders, workers and supporters, as well as those perceived to be allied to the party’s cause within the media and legal fraternity.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2023.
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