- Niazi was handed over to Quetta police for a day in custody.
- Case against PTI leader was registered at Quetta’s Airport police station.
- Judicial magistrate awards bail against Rs 100,000 bail.
A court in Quetta on Saturday approved the bail application of Hassaan Niazi, Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s legal liaison.
On March 18, a case against Niazi was registered at the airport police station of the provincial capital on charges of inciting violence and interfering with police matters on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Abdul Elahi.
He was handed over to Quetta police for a one-day remand by a district and session court in Islamabad, which approved his remand a day early.
Judicial Magistrate Murid Abbas handed over Niazi to Quetta Police on their request for a pre-trial detention so that the PTI leader could be taken to Quetta and brought before the Judicial Magistrate, the Islamabad court said while approving the pre-trial detention .
The inspector said he was told during his patrol that the Chaman Road in Quetta was blocked by 150 people. The case stated that PTI leader Inayatullah Kakar and others chanted slogans against the possible arrest of Imran Khan. Niazi was not nominated in the FIR by Quetta Police.
During today’s proceedings, Niazi was brought before the judicial magistrate’s court under tight security. Media representatives were also barred from entering the courthouse, Geo News reported.
Later, the judicial magistrate granted Niazi bail on bail worth Rs 100,000, after which the police escorted Niazi back under tight security.
Details of the case
According to the details of the case against Niazi that have come to light, Khan’s central person was not named in the Quetta case and was arrested among unknown suspects.
On March 18, a case was registered on the complaint of the sub-inspector of Quetta Airport Police Station.
According to the sub-inspector, during his patrol on said date, he was told that 150 people had blocked the Quetta-Chaman Road.
Subsequently, a case was registered in Quetta against the protesters under the provisions of sedition, official interference and other provisions.
According to the first information report (FIR), PTI leader Inayatullah Kakar and others created provocations and shouted slogans to protest the arrest of the PTI chief.
The FIR also claimed that the protesters incited people and used foul language.
The complainant reported in the FIR that he had tried to talk to the demonstrators, but they blocked the road for an hour.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab Police in Lahore raided Khan’s residence last week to arrest him on the orders of an Islamabad court in the Toshakhana case. This resulted in a days-long standoff between the police and PTI supporters who had gathered outside Khan’s residence.
On March 18, Khan finally appeared in court where Additional Session Judge Zafar Iqbal canceled his warrants without bail following hours of drama at the Federal Judicial Complex.
The judge adjourned the hearing to March 30 and told the parties in the case that the arguments will take place at the next hearing and also ordered Khan to ensure his presence.