The Post-Arrest Bail Plea of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Chief of the Awami Muslim League (AML) and former Interior Minister, has been dismissed by a district and sessions court in Islamabad. The hearing for the application took place in a case in which Sheikh Rashid was charged for making murder plot allegations against former President Asif Ali Zardari of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
The additional sessions judge, Tahir Abbas Supra, heard arguments from Sheikh Rashid’s lawyers Sardar Abdul Razzaq and Intizar Panjotha, the prosecutor Adnan, and the plaintiff’s lawyer. Advocate Razzaq argued that Sheikh Rashid’s statement regarding Zardari’s plot to kill Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan was aimed at creating a conflict between the two parties and that an investigation into Imran’s allegations was necessary. However, the court questioned why the investigating officer had not looked into Imran Khan’s claims and requested that an investigation involving the PTI Chief be conducted.
The court emphasized the importance of being cautious with words and that “whatever is said on TV should be a matter of law in the court”. No previous cases of “irresponsible talk” have been made against the AML Chief. The court reserved its decision and later announced its verdict, dismissing Sheikh Rashid’s post-arrest bail plea.
Sheikh Rashid was arrested last week from his residence in a late-night raid by the Islamabad police for claiming that Zardari was plotting to assassinate Imran Khan. A case was registered against the former minister at the Abpara Police Station.
