ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday prohibited the police from proceeding against Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad in the cases filed against him in Lasbela and Karachi.
Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, who was hearing a petition by the former interior minister, issued the orders.
During the hearing, Ahmad’s lawyer informed the court of a case registered at Abpara Police Station, another in Karachi, and a third case in Murree.
The court was puzzled by the multiple FIRs in different cities for the same incident and asked if the arrest had been made in all three cases.
The lawyer said the arrest was made in only one case and that Ahmad was “tied to a chair for six hours” and tortured during questioning.
The court then stopped police action in the cases against Ahmad in Karachi and Lasbela and issued notices to bar councils, the attorney general, and the advocate general of Islamabad. The case was adjourned until February 9.
Meanwhile, a district and sessions court in Islamabad Monday adjourned the hearing of his request for post-arrest bail till Tuesday.
The hearing of the case resumed at 12:30 pm, with the prosecutor informing the court that the investigation officer was missing. The petitioner’s counsel requested two days to prepare the case, leading Judge Umar Shabbir to adjourn the hearing until Tuesday.
Ahmad is currently in jail on judicial remand. He was arrested in connection with allegations against Zardari and later had another case registered against him by Muree Police.
The FIR was lodged by investigation officer Ashiq Ali, charging Ahmad with interfering in official affairs, physically assaulting and threatening police officers, and resisting arrest. Ahmad’s two employees were also implicated in the case.
According to the FIR, Ahmad resisted police efforts and threatened them with consequences when they arrived at his residence.
The former minister faces charges under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), including criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity, and threatening to cause harm.
