SHC grants Zulfiqar Mirza protective bail till May 17

Former home minister was earlier booked for attempted murder, rioting, looting and damaging public property

KARACHI: Two days after Zulfiqar Mirza was granted bail by an anti-terrorism court (ATC), Sindh High Court (SHC) followed suit and approved bail for the estranged Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader in a fresh case till May 17.

Mirza managed to avoid being jailed after Justice Farooq Shah allowed bail in the case for a sum of Rs100,000.

The former home minister was booked by Aram Bagh Police for interfering in official matters. He was earlier booked for attempted murder, rioting, looting and damaging public property in Badin.

Read: Security threats: Zulfiqar Mirza asks court to change IO

On Monday, Mirza pleaded the ATC to change the investigating officer of his cases and direct the police to record his statement at his home or in court. He contended that he did not have any confidence in the officer investigating the three cases against him.

His principal counsel Ashraf Samoo said, “Mirza is willing to cooperate with investigators but cannot move around the city. He will record his statement at home or in court only.”

Carving a faction

Rumours are strife that the former PPP strongman is working to form a new faction within the party in the aftermath of developing differences with the leadership.

Read: Splintering the party: Zulfiqar Mirza eyes new PPP faction

“I am considering multiple options,” he said, while addressing the media on Sunday. “I can carve out another (PPP) group or support other parties that are considered to be opposing the Zardari-led PPP.  I want to see Bilawal leading the party, and expel those who have encroached upon his position.”

He also claimed to have support of many likeminded senior party leaders.

On the same day, Sharjeel Memon, once a close aide to Mirza, said the former minister should learn from those PPP leaders who have lost their credibility and political stature after leaving the party.