Zulfiqar Mirza granted protective bail by SHC

Former Sindh home minister booked for storming police station, manhandling security officials in Badin

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court granted protective bail against a surety of Rs100,000 to former provincial home minister Zulfiqar Mirza after he moved the court for protection and bail in a criminal case lodged against him in Badin.

Accepting the Mirza’s plea for protective bail, the court directed him to surrender before a trial court by May 6, 2015.

“I want to appear before the Sindh High Court for bail, but I am apprehensive that I may be killed,” Mirza said in his plea. “There are threats to my life, and to my family and friends.”

While speaking to the media earlier, Mirza said he will consider whether to surrender to police or not after consulting his legal experts, Express News reported.

Sindh Police blocked roads leading Mirza's farm house near Badin after a case was registered against him for storming a police station and manhandling security officials.

Read: Zulfiqar Mirza booked for assault on foes, police

Commercial activities in Badin came to a standstill after Mirza and his supporters ransacked the police station yesterday and remained suspended in certain parts even today. However, schools remained open in the city.

Read: PPP leaders demand Zulfiqar Mirza's family resign from legislature

The conflict started Sunday morning after the police attempted to arrest one of Mirza’s close aides, Nadeem Ahmed Mughal. Dozens of Mirza’s supporters staged a protest against the police and started shouting slogans against PPP leaders who, they blamed, were behind the FIR against Mughal.

A large contingent of Sindh Police’s reserve force was called in from adjacent districts in view of the precarious situation in Badin city.