Explosives case: Rauf handed over to CTD on physical remand

Islamabad: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Islamabad Friday handed over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) central leader Rauf Hassan to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on one-day physical remand in the explosive material case.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra heard the case related to the physical remand of Rauf Hassan in the Explosive Material Case.

Prosecutor Raja Naveed read the text of the case against Rauf and requested another seven-day physical remand.

The prosecutor said that raids were conducted but unfortunately, access to more accused could not be obtained at present, names of co-accused are to be ascertained, and custody of Rauf Hassan is required to gain access to the accused.

Defense lawyer Ali Bukhari stated in his arguments that gunpowder was not recovered from Rauf. CTD raided and kept Rauf Hasan in custody for two days. ‘Ask the prosecutor about the role of Hassan in the case. When he was sent to jail by the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) court, the CTD arrived to arrest him’.

The petitioner's lawyer said that PTI leader Rauf is accused only to the extent of speculation, ​​nothing has been recovered, if there is a statement of the plaintiff case against Rauf Hasan, then bring it forward. Several accused were named in the May 9 cases in the light of the statement. I wonder why Rauf should be remanded. I do not understand, if a remand is not made, then the case should be discharged, it is not necessary to give remand.

Ali Bukhari stated that Rauf Hassan has no role in this case. If the court feels that the police arrested him wrongly in the case, then he can be discharged on charges.

The lawyer added that PTI leader Hassan stood on the ground floor for 10 minutes, he is not even able to climb the stairs. If he does not take medicine for two days, he will die anyway. The jail doctor excused himself from examining Rauf, and had to take him to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). It is requested that Rauf Hasan be discharged from the case. 

PTI's lawyer Shoaib Shaheen also said in the court that there is also a CCTV of the attack on Rauf Hassan, saying that the attackers had put on make-up, were not being recognised, and tried to make Rauf a digital terrorist. We all are also digital terrorists standing here.

Ali Bukhari said thanks to the prosecutor that he believed that Rauf is not a terrorist, to which the special prosecutor replied that the accused has done financing for terrorism.

The ATC granted Rauf Hassan's one-day physical remand and handed him over to the CTD and directed the accused to be produced again tomorrow.