Pinky's remand extended by four days

Accuses IO of forcing her to name politician, showbiz figures

KARACHI:

A Judicial Magistrate South on Monday extended the physical remand of alleged drug queenpin Anmol alias Pinky by four days in a murder case registered at Baghdadi Police Station.

During the proceedings at the Judicial Complex inside the jail premises, the investigation officer sought permission to record the complainant's statement under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The court approved the request and directed that the statement be recorded on May 21 in the presence of the accused's lawyers.

The court directed the investigation officer to complete the probe and submit a progress report at the next hearing.

According to the written order, the accused was exempted from personal appearance before the court due to security concerns.

Meanwhile, speaking to journalists inside the courtroom, Pinky alleged that she was being coerced into naming politicians and members of the entertainment industry. She claimed that she had been subjected to torture and alleged that the investigation officer slapped her during interrogation.

"The IO threatened me and asked me to name a former prime minister and actors Muneeb Butt and Syra Yousuf," she alleged.

Separately, extraordinary security arrangements were made for the accused's court appearance at the judicial complex in Karachi.

According to police sources, a special security plan was issued for the appearance, with a team comprising five officers, including a DSP, deployed under the supervision of the SP Investigation. Officers from Mithadar, Chakiwara, Garden and Baghdadi police stations were also part of the security detail.

Additional personnel from Jamshed Town, New Town and PIB Colony police stations were assigned security duties, while jail authorities reportedly placed the premises on "red alert".

Journalists covering the hearing alleged that they were pushed out of the courtroom, court premises and eventually the jail complex during the proceedings.