*LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday rejectedrequests of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi andTehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) chief Pir Afzal Qadri for bail.*
Stringent security measures were taken outside the ATC premises, whileRizvi was presented before the judge in ATC-IV.
Rizvi’s counsel argued in the court that a suitable environment should beprovided for the betterment of health condition of his client.
He said in the bail petition that the provision of the Anti Terrorism Actwas falsely included in the case. The lawyer said Khadim Rizvi and otheraccused had not committed any offence against the state, but had beenpolitically victimised.
The counsel stated that the petitioner had been jailed since his November23 arrest and he was facing serious health issues because of hisdisability. He requested the court to grant Rizvi bail.
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Following hearing arguments from both sides, the IHC rejected the requestfor bail.
Rizvi was taken into ‘protective custody’ by police on Nov 23 last year,from Lahore as law enforcement agencies launched crackdown against workersof his group.
The government figures said, a total of 2,899 people were taken intoprotective custody from Punjab, 139 from Sindh and 126 from Islamabadduring the crackdown.
