An Islamabad court on Thursday granted police two-day physical remand of Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed, hours after the politician was arrested in connection with remarks he made against former president Asif Ali Zardari.
The former minister, a close aide of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, was arrested from Murree Motorway, police confirmed this morning, in a move that drew strong criticism from the former premier.
PTI chief Imran Khan in a television address on Jan 27 had alleged that Zardari was behind a fresh assassination plot — a “plan C” — and that a terror group had been engaged for the purpose. He offered no evidence to back up his accusation.
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During the hearing today presided over by Judicial Magistrate Omar Shabbir, the police requested Ahmed’s eight-day physical remand while the prosecution also requested the politician’s physical remand.
The court announced the reserved verdict, granting the police 2-day physical remand of the AML chief.
Earlier, at the outset of the hearing, Rasheed asked that his handcuffs be removed. He told the court that he’s been appointed as the federal minister at least 16 times.
After this, police unlocked Rasheed’s handcuffs on the court’s order.
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Abdul Razzaq, the lawyer of the former interior minister, began his arguments and said that Sheikh Rasheed has been targeted in a politically motivated case.
“The case against Rasheed was registered at 8pm last night. The police had arrested Rasheed against the high court’s orders. The police, instead of arresting Sheikh Rasheed, should have called Asif Zardari to the station.”
