ATC approves Zulfiqar Mirza's bail

Mirza's bail approved till May19 in three cases, for the sum of Rs100,000

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday approved the bail of former Sindh Minister Zulfiqar Mirza until May 19 in three cases, for the sum of Rs100,000.

Mirza arrived at the court for a hearing of the cases against him pertaining to the ransacking of a police station in the Badin district.

Wearing a white starched cotton shalwar qameez and a traditional Sindhi topi, Mirza arrived at the court amid strict security.  At least 300 police personnel were reportedly deployed around the vicinity of the court.

A dozen lawyers and a crowd of supporters carrying the national flag accompanied Mirza.

Read: Zulfiqar Mirza storms police station, manhandles officials in Badin

Heavy contingents of police and commandos were also seen taking up positions on rooftops of buildings around the court. Media has also been barred from entering the premises.

The former home minister is scheduled to appear before ATC-I Judge Bashir Ahmed Khosoe. The hearing comes a day after Sindh government ordered police not to make any arrest of the former minster before May 9.

Read: Zulfiqar Mirza cases: Dr Fehmida Mirza sends out SOS for spouse

The court is said to be hearing cases pertaining to the ransacking of a police station in the Badin district by Mirza on May 3 during which he reportedly manhandled security personnel for trying to arrest and registering an FIR against his aide.

SHC on Wednesday had also extended the pre-arrest 'protective bail' granted to Mirza.

Addressing media outside the ATC, Mirza urged that his fight was against corruption and the verdict passed today was in favour of the people of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, a group of lawyers chanted slogans in favour of Mirza while others chanted slogans in favour of Zardari. A scuffle was also said to have broken out outside the court.