Islamabad court rejects Sheikh Rashid's bail plea

Islamabad: A district and sessions court in Islamabad Thursday rejected former federal minister Sheikh Rashid’s bail application in a case pertaining to his remarks against Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

As per details, Additional Sessions Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the verdict that was reserved earlier in the day.

This is the second time that the bail petition of Sheikh Rashid, who is currently in Murree police's custody on a transitory remand, has been turned down.  

Sheikh Rasheed's lawyer, Sardar Abdul Razzak, argued that the case had been lodged under false pretenses, owing to a conspiracy and a clash between two political parties. 

Sardar Abdul Razzak, on behalf of Sheikh Rashid, said the former minister met with Pakistan Thereek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and mentioned Imran Khan's statement, alleging that Asif Zardari only claimed defamation against Imran Khan. 

On that, the prosecutor gave arguments, stating that Sheikh Rashid’s remarks is based on ‘extreme provocation’. 

The Awami Muslim League (AML) chief, a key ally of former Prime Minister Imran Khan — is facing charges of levelling murder plot allegations against former president Asif Ali Zardari, threatening police personnel, and passing offensive comments against Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.  

Rashid's counselor had filed a new plea seeking his bail in the sessions court after the rejection by a judicial magistrate.