Sheikh Rashid Shafiq granted bail

The PTI MNA has been under arrest for his alleged role in the Masjid-i-Nabawi incident

By Staff Reporter

FATEHJANG: A judicial magistrate on Monday granted bail to Sheikh Rasheed’s nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq in the case registered over Masjid-i-Nabawi incident.

Earlier in the day, judicial magistrate Malik Arif had reserved the verdict after listening to the arguments by the lawyer of the MNA.

The lawyer said the incident took place in Saudi Arabia, but the case was registered in Pakistan, which he said was nothing but a political revenge. The lawyer further said neither the Prime Minister nor the information minister were plaintiffs in the case.

Earlier on May 2, the court had rejected the police demand seeking extension in physical remand and sent Sheikh Rashid Shafiq to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed at the main gate of the sub-divisional headquarters building during the hearing on Monday. Present on the court premises, workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chanted slogans on the occasion.

Mr Rahid was arrested by Attock’s New Airport police on his return from Saudi Arabia on May 1. He was remanded to police custody for a day, which was extended by two more days on May 2.
On the third hearing on May 4, the counsel for the police again pleaded for another three days remand. The court directed the police to produce the IMEI number of the cell phone used to upload the incriminating video.

But the police failed to produce the number and the duty magistrate sent the MNA to Attock jail on a 14-day judicial remand.