In Rawalpindi, the Lahore High Court (LHC) has requested responses from theRawalpindi Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chief Police Officer (CPO),and Deputy Commissioner regarding the arrest of Sheikh Rashid, an ally ofthe Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.
Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan of the LHC’s Rawalpindi bench considered the pleachallenging Rashid’s detention. The petitioner’s legal representativeinformed the LHC that despite being detained two days ago, Rashid has notbeen presented before any court.
The lawyer pointed out that there are no registered cases against theseasoned politician either in the federal capital or in Punjab. The counselargued that this detention is unlawful and amounts to abduction, urging thecourt to instruct Rashid’s appearance before it.
The court instructed the counsel to await replies from the relevantofficials before further proceedings in the case. The court has asked forresponses from these officials by September 22 and has also issued a noticeto the assistant advocate general.
The hearing was adjourned. Regarding Rashid’s “arrest,” he was taken intocustody when purported Rawalpindi Police personnel and plainclothesofficials raided his residence on the outskirts of Islamabad on Sunday,September 17. Sources within the police initially confirmed the arrest,stating that Rashid was subsequently moved from Islamabad to Rawalpindiwith heightened security.
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However, the Rawalpindi Police later denied the arrest, claiming Rashid wasnot in their custody. Subsequently, Rashid’s lawyer, Sardar Abdul Razzaq,released a video statement confirming that Rawalpindi Police had indeeddetained his client from his residence in the Lohi Bher area.
The operation was led by Rawalpindi’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP)Operation Faisal Suleman, with several police officers involved in theraid. They arrested Sheikh Rashid, his nephew Sheikh Shakir, employeeSheikh Imran, and driver Sajjad, transferring them to an undisclosedlocation.
Following the hearing on Tuesday, Rashid’s lawyer updated the media,stating that Rashid’s driver, Sajjad, had returned home the previous night,and his motorcycle was recovered. However, Rashid, his nephew, and hisemployee are still missing, according to the lawyer.
