RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – A Rawalpindi court on Thursday rejected a request seeking physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in GHQ attack and other cases.
The court sent Qureshi to Adiala Jail on judicial remand in 12 cases. Earlier, the court had reserved judgement after hearing arguments.
Duty Magistrate Syed Jahangir Ali conducted hearing of attack on GHQ case against Qureshi. The prosecution demanded 30-day physical remand of the senior PTI leader.
At the outset of hearing, Qureshi raised his hands to show handcuffs to the judge. He told the court that he was looking after his wife who was ill and admitted to Sir Aga Khan Hospital. He said the same could be verified through record of the hospital. He said the court could also verify it through Pemra record.
He said three judges of the apex court ordered his release on bail and the order was duly signed by the three judges. Despite the Supreme Court's order, he was arrested under MPO 3, he told court. He added that he was arrested under an order and then the order was withdrawn.
"When I inquired why the order was withdrawn, they said the order was flawed," he said. He said he was arrested by police when he was still on court premises.
Qureshi becomes emotional
The PTI vice chairman could not control his emotions in court and with tears rolling down his cheeks, he told the court that he remained member of National Assembly for five times. "The SHO punched and kicked me at the time of arrest. He manhandled me due to which I felt severe pain in my chest. I requested him several times to take me to hospital but he did not pay any heed," Qureshi told court.
"They tried to get my statement recorded. But I refused to do so and said I will record my statement in front of my lawyers. They tortured me physically and mentally. I could not sleep the whole night in biting cold," he maintained.
Qureshi said he represented Pakistan across the world. He said he pleaded Pakistan's case at international fora. "But now, I am being treated like this way. I am languishing in jail for the last several months and I was tortured. Do I deserve this treatment, is this justice?" he asked.
The court, on request, then ordered to free Qureshi from handcuffs. Later, the court reserved its judgement on physical remand request.
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Qureshi was brought to the judicial complex in an armoured vehicle with handcuffs to produce before the duty magistrate in May 9 vandalism case.
Police had put in place security arrangements for the court appearance of Qureshi.
The former foreign minister was arrested from outside Adiala Jail on Wednesday after he was released on bail by the Supreme Court in cipher case. He was arrested on the orders of Rawalpindi duputy commissioner under MPO 3.
It may be recalled that the R.A. Bazar police had registered a case against him for May 9 carnage. Qureshi was produced before duty magistrate Syed Jahangir Ali and police sought his physical remand.