Pakistan’s former interior minister Sheikh Rashid sent on two-day physical remand

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid was arrested by Islamabad police in the wee hours of Thursday for different offences.

His nephew, Sheikh Shafiq confirmed the arrest. The Aabpara police of Islamabad registered a first information report (FIR) against Rashid.

Later, Islamabad judicial magistrate Umar Shabbir grated the police two-day physical remand of Rashid, who was presented before him handcuffed amid high security.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Rawalpindi Division President Raja Inayatur Rehman had filed a case against Rashid with police for alleging that former president Asif Ali Zardari was hatching a plot to assassinate Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan.

The PTI chairman had in January alleged that Zardari was hatching as well as financing an assassination plot against him for which the ex-president had hired "terrorists."

Initially, the Murree police arrested Rashid and later handed him over to the Islamabad Police, who shifted him to the Aabpara Police Station.

Rashid is also embattled in another case of "illegal occupation" as the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) had sealed Lal Haveli - his residence - and five adjoining units on Jan.30.

On the same day, the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered to de-seal the property.

Rashid told reporters during his arrest that police had "wronged" him. He added that the police had taken him into custody from his residence. He said he feared for his life.

He said he feared for his life. "My crime is that I'm standing with Imran Khan," he said at the Polyclinic hospital in Islamabad, where he was taken for medical checkup.

"I have been a minister 16 times. Never for a single time, I have been charged with corruption in these ministries," Rashid said, adding that he was picked up from his residence at a private housing society in Punjab.

He alleged that at least "100 to 200 armed people" raided his residence. "They entered the house through ladders, broke the doors and windows of the house, and beat my servants."

Pakistan's former President Asif Ali Zardari arrives for a meeting. File photo

Rashid said police forcibly hustled him into their vehicle. He said the police arrested him despite the fact that a court granted him bail and ordered the inspector-general of police to appear before the court on Feb.6.

Imran condemned the arrest and said that never in the history have we had such a biased, vindictive caretaker government appointed by totally discredited Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).