ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) grants bail to Sheikh Rashid, the leader of the Awami Muslim League (AML), in the case involving his accusations that Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chair of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), had planned to assassinate Imran Khan.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over Rashid’s post-arrest bail hearing, delivered the reserved verdict, and issued an order for the former interior minister to post surety bonds worth Rs50,000.
In the courtroom were Salman Akram Raja, Rashid’s attorney, Jahangir Khan Jadoon, the Islamabad Advocate General, and Abpara SHO.
When the court enquired as to the allegations, the attorney for the AML leader stated that a case had been filed as a result of a statement made by Rashid that had been broadcast on a news station.
The ex-minister is currently being held in custody on judicial remand, the attorney informed the court while reading out the FIR, adding that the complaint was filed against the prominent politician in the Abpara Police Station.
The court next inquired as to what details were uncovered during the investigation. Rashid has not refuted his claim, according to the Islamabad advocate general, who also claimed that he is still making it.
Eight times, he has served in the National Assembly. Such utterances are not reasonable to anticipate from him, he said.
The attorney general said that Sheikh Rashid is accusing Zardari of being involved in a murder plot while simultaneously claiming to be a top politician.
Justice Kayani said that everyone employs legislative language, and he went on to note that when one is in government, they use different language than when they are in the opposition.
Islamabad AG reports on Sheikh Rashid’s name-calling of interior and foreign ministers in court hearing.
According to the Islamabad AG, Sheikh Rashid called the interior minister Rana Sanaullah and the foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari names that he was unable to repeat in front of the court.
He added that although freedom of expression is a right, “it has some restrictions” and that Sheikh Rashid “has repeated his contentious statements repeatedly.”
Rashid’s attorney gave the court his word that such a statement would not be made again. The advocate general stated that the court could decide on the AML chief’s bail request provided he presents an undertaking to refrain from committing the offence again.
Justice Kayani said, “We shall have to start training from the primary school curriculum itself.”
Before granting Sheikh Rashid’s request for release, the court heard the arguments and held off on rendering a decision.