ISLAMABAD: The court federal capital granted a two-day physical remand of the supremo of the Awami Muslim League (AML) and turned him over to the police.
Announcing the reserved judgment on Rashid’s nephew’s petition, Judge Umar Shabbir granted the appeal of the police and approved a physical remand.
Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, the nephew of Sheikh Rashid, filed a petition for contempt of court following the arrest of his uncle.
A case of contempt of court was filed against the Islamabad police in the Islamabad High Court
“The petition stated, ‘The court had suspended the police summons for Sheikh Rashid, yet a case was still registered against him in defiance of the court order.”
The arrested chairman of the Awami Muslim League, Sheikh Rashid, appeared in the court of Judge Umar Shabbir.
The police requested the court to grant an 8-day physical remand of Sheikh Rashid, alleging that he posed a danger to Asif Ali Zardari and his family.
Arguments of Prosecutor
The prosecutor presented his argument before the court, stating, ‘Sheikh Rashid poses a threat to Asif Ali Zardari and his family.
The sections mentioned in the FIR carry a potential sentence of 7 years imprisonment and penalties for Rashid.
The prosecutor stated that Rashid claimed in his statement that Zardari was involved in a scheme to assassinate Imran Khan.
The prosecutor claimed that Rashid’s statement, ‘In Pakistan, people come to cut throats over small things,’ was an attempt to provoke conflict between the political parties of Imran Khan and Asif Ali Zardari.
The prosecutor reiterated that Zardari and his family are in danger.
The judge asked the prosecutor, ‘Did you inform Asif Zardari about the danger?
“Sheikh Rashid stated that a photogrammetric test was needed to match the voice, and that physical remand was required to further investigate the statement referring to a conspiracy against Imran Khan.”
Arguments of Shiekh Rashid’s Counsel
Abdul Raziq, Sheikh Rashid’s counsel, stated, ‘This is a season of political revenge. The FIR was registered against him at 8:00 PM.
“The registration of the FIR is a contempt of court. Sheikh Rashid’s lawyer requested to have the accused discharged from the case.”
Abdul Raziq stated that the police had tortured the servants of Sheikh Rashid, and that Rashid was arrested at Rawalpindi without a warrant.”
The Argument of Panjutha, the Counsel Shiekh Rashid
The other counsel of Shiekh Rashid said, “Unfortunately, despite the order of the High Court, a case was registered against Sheikh Rashid. The Islamabad Police has dealt a blow to the legal system.”
“The one who exposed the conspiracy against the former prime minister is being investigated. The prosecution is including sedition clauses in every case, which is unwarranted.”
He said, “Sheikh Rashid did not call for citizens to rise against the state. The prosecution is seeking a physical remand only for the purpose of recording Rashid’s statement.”
He stated, “Physical remand cannot be granted just for the purpose of recording a statement.”
Case Against Sheikh Rashid
Meanwhile, Sheikh Rashid was booked in an FIR regarding the statement he made against Asif Ali Zardari, in which he alleged the latter’s involvement in plotting the assassination of Imran Khan.
According to the FIR, “Sheikh Rashid is deemed a danger to Asif Ali Zardari and his family. He made a claim on a TV channel that Zardari has hired the services of terrorists.”
The statement made by Sheikh Rashid is believed to be part of a pre-planned conspiracy.
“The First Information Report (FIR) against Rashid includes sections 120B (Punishment for Criminal Conspiracy), 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups), and 505 (Statements conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).”
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