Islamabad Court Denies Sheikh Rashid’s Bail Request

Islamabad: The Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief, Sheikh Rashid, saw his post-arrest bail petition rejected by an Islamabad district and sessions court in a case related to his remarks against former President Asif Ali Zardari. Sheikh Rashid was arrested by Islamabad police on February 2nd and was granted a two-day physical remand by the court. After completion of the physical remand, Rashid was sent on a 14-day judicial remand on February 4th. On the same day, he filed a post-arrest bail petition in the court. He also approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which ordered the police not to take further action against him in cases filed against him in Karachi and Balochistan. During the hearing, Rashid’s lawyers argued that the case was filed as a result of political revenge and the police found nothing against him during the investigation. The prosecutor, however, argued that Rashid’s statements were not ordinary and had the potential to create conflict between two big groups. The complainant’s lawyer argued that Rashid’s past statements were based on inciting two groups against each other. The hearing was concluded with the court reserving its verdict on Rashid’s plea.