Prosecutor skips hearing as ATC extends Rashid’s bail

Ex-security czar reiterates plans to contest election ‘even from prison’

RAWALPINDI:

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi extended the interim bail of former federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the chief of the Awami Muslim League (AML), in 10 cases related to May 9 riots.

Judge Malik Ejaz Asif presided over the hearing and extended the bail till December 9.

The judge adjourned the hearing on the request of the public prosecutor, and instructed both sides to complete arguments in the next hearing. He also sought details of all the cases filed against former interior minister.

Judge Malik Ijaz Asif adjourned the hearing at the request of the public prosecutors, who did not show up and asked for an adjournment citing prior commitments.

The court also instructed the two parties to submit arguments and complete records of the cases registered against Rashid.

Read Islamabad court confirms Rashid’s bail

During proceedings, the judge was informed of a news attributed to the prosecutor that ran in the local media. The court was told that the news stated that proceedings would not take place and the court would only issue the next date of hearing.

Upon this, the judge became angry and remarked that such stories suggest suggest that someone was giving instructions to the court and warned of stern action if it occurred again.

After the hearing, Rashid spoke to the media outside the court. He urged the army leadership to form a board to investigate the events of May 9 and to ensure justice for those who he suggested were wrongly implicated.

He repeated that he had been implicated in over 68 cases since May 9, including dozens of cases for incidents on that day.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2023.

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