An Islamabad local court granted former interior minister Awami Muslim League (AML) leader Sheikh Rashid custody to Murree police on a one-day transitory remand for threatening police officers.
The former interior minister was brought before the court on an appeal by the Muree police, and the court approved the temporary remand.
Rashid asserted during the hearing that he was the target of a fabrication. The government wants him to switch his political affiliation.
“I gave the police access codes for both of my mobile devices. I was questioned for hours by the Murree police, Rashid said.
The judge asked the police if they had ever requested a temporary remand. The police responded that this was the first time they had made the request.
According to Rashid’s attorney Ali Bukhari, the AML chief is currently in custody, who also noted that a judicial magistrate recently denied Murree police’s request for a temporary remand.
He opposed the request for a temporary remand and stated, “It was rejected as the procedure was not followed.”.
In addition, Bukhari questioned why the police requested a temporary remand when they had already taken everything from the home of the former federal minister.
The attorney claimed that “they have also taken Sheikh Rashid’s authorized weapons.”. He continued by saying the remand could not be granted because it was once again rejected.
The Murree police, he continued, had not submitted a formal appeal against the rejection of the temporary remand.
The judge inquired, “Do you have a copy of the rejection of the transitory remand?”.
According to the Murree police, only a verbal order was given; no written decision was announced.
Rashid is currently under judicial remand and must appear before the Murree court. The prosecution requested a temporary remand; the prosecutor informed the court.