Bashir Qureshi case: Family to file contempt-of-court plea against police

NAWABSHAH/ SAKRAND: After the police refused to register the case of Bashir Qureshi’s “murder” despite court order, the family of the deceased nationalist leader has decided to file a contempt-of-court case against Sakrand police.

On Monday, the Nawabshah Additional Sessions Judge-III, Inam Ali Kalhoro, had ordered the Sakrand SHO to register the case according to the wishes of the family of Bashir Qureshi, the former chairman of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM).

While talking to the media after the court orders, the complainant’s lawyers said that the case will be taken to the high court and apex court, if the lower courts fail to provide them justice.

After the verdict, the brother of Bashir Qureshi, Maqsood Qureshi, and his son, Sunnan Qureshi, the JSQM chairman, among other party leaders arrived at the Sakrand police station. In his statement, Maqsood accused Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, the directors general of Inter-Services Intelligence and Pakistan Rangers for the murder of his brother.

When SHO Sanaullah Panhwar asked Maqsood to sign the statement, he refused, telling the police officer he would only sign the FIR. Panhwar asked the family and the JSQM leadership to give him time till Tuesday so that he could discuss the matter with his high-ups.

Later at a press conference held in Sakrand Press Club, Maqsood and Sunnan said that a contempt-of-court plea would be registered in the court on Tuesday against Sakrand police. The JSQM will also organise protests across the province on October 23 and 24 against the law enforcers.

On September 27 also, the JSQM leadership had tried to register the case at Sakrand police station.

Maqsood maintains that the state’s agencies were afraid of Qureshi, especially after his March 23 rally in Karachi. “He began to get more threats after that rally,” he said.

Bashir Qureshi had died of food poisoning on April 7. However, his party leaders and family suspect foul play.