LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Javed Latif was arrested after a sessions court dismissed his bail petition in a case registered against him on charges of inciting people against state institutions.
The PML-N leader appeared before the court as additional sessions judge Wajid Minhas resumed hearing. The court reserved a verdict after hearing arguments of both defence counsel and prosecutor.
Latif had left the courtroom before the verdict was announced. The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) arrested him near Saggian Pul. “Arresting someone before the verdict is announced is a violation of the law,” Latif’s lawyer Farhad Ali Shah said.
At a previous hearing, the court had extended his bail after it was informed that he had contracted the coronavirus. Latif’s counsel presented his client’s COVID-19 diagnosis report, informing the court that he had tested positive for the virus.
On March 20, Latif was booked on charges of treason and a case was registered against the MNA on the complaint of a citizen. According to the first information report, the MNA had allegedly defamed state institutions and delivered hateful remarks against them.
