Entourage in tow: Wahida Shah’s bail extended till April 25

Bukhari is facing two separate convictions given by the ECP and the Returning Officer.

HYDERABAD: The sixth additional and sessions judge, Shahid Pervez Memon, extended the bail of Wahida Shah Bukhari in the case of her summary trial till the next date of hearing on April 25.

Tens of supporters encircled Bukhari as she made her way through the court on Wednesday, to forcefully maintain a distance from journalists. Some even entreated them to leave her alone.

As the media continued to hurl questions at her, Bukhari finally commented before stepping into her car. “I don’t know anything about the case. Talk to my lawyer.”

Bukhari is facing two separate convictions given by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the Returning Officer (RO) of the February 25 by-polls in PS-53 constituency of Tando Muhammad Khan. She has been charged with assaulting the staff, Shagufta Memon and Habeeban Memon, at a polling station during the by-elections.

While the former banned her from competing in the elections for two years and invalidated the results, the latter announced a Rs1,000 penalty or a day’s imprisonment.

Hyder Imam Rizvi, Bukhari’s counsel, told the media that both the convictions of her client were controversial. “One was given by a 3-2 vote by the ECP members, in which the two opposing votes belong to Sindh.

The other, by the RO who was a complainant in the FIR against Wahida Shah and also conducted her trial.”

The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad bench, will hear the petition of Bukhari challenging the ECP decision on April 19. The ECP will hold the by-polls in the constituency of Bukhari on April 25 in which her relative, Syed Aijaz Shah Bukhari, will contest on the Pakistan Peoples Party’s ticket.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2012.