A new statement: ‘Did not nominate Mian Iftikhar in FIR’

Deceased PTI activist’s father says allegations against ANP leader baseless

NOWSHERA: The murder case registered against Awami National Party Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain took a new turn on Monday when the father of the deceased PTI activist said he did not nominate Mian Iftikhar in the FIR.

After recording his statement before Nowshera judicial magistrate, Sher Alam, father of deceased Habibullah, told journalists outside the court his son was shot dead by someone else. He did not disclose the accused person’s identity, saying, “I have already nominated his name in the FIR.”

Alam said, “Mian Iftikhar is our elder and allegations of him being involved in my son’s murder are baseless.”

Earlier, Alam recorded his statement in the court of Judicial Magistrate Tariq Shehzad, and in the presence of the public prosecutor as well as the defence counsel Latif Afridi. Mian Iftikhar was also present.

Accusations of political victimisation

The ANP leader’s counsel told the media a bail application has been submitted. “However, after the father’s statement, Mian Iftikhar’s fate depends on the court,” said Afridi.

He termed the murder case against Mian Iftikhar an act of political victimisation.

Earlier, in his statement recorded at the court, Mian Iftikhar denied any involvement in Habibullah’s death. The PTI activist died after a bullet hit him while he was at a political gathering late Saturday night following the declaration of unofficial results of local government polls.

After Mian Aftikhar recorded his statement, the court handed him over to the police as he will remain in custody till he gets bail.

Speaking to the media outside the court, Mian Iftikhar asked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan to order an investigation into the FIR registered against him.

“I am thankful to Imran Khan for supporting me, but he needs to take notice of his party’s provincial government for registering a false murder case against me,” said the former K-P information minister.

Later on Monday evening, IGP Nasir Durrani told The Express Tribune, the decision to arrest Mian Iftikhar “was taken by the DPO, only to protect his life and safely evacuate from the mob.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2015.