In Islamabad, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday denied former foreignminister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s request for interim bail and an exemptionfrom court appearance. This decision came in response to two cases againsthim at the Kahna police station, where he failed to appear. Judge AbulHasnat Zulqarnain made this announcement after considering arguments fromboth sides.
Qureshi’s counsel, Ali Bukhari, had submitted two separate pleas. Onesought a day’s exemption from court attendance, as his client was currentlyin jail due to a cypher case. The other requested an extension of Qureshi’sinterim bail.
During the hearing, the prosecutor urged the court to reject Qureshi’sbail application, while Bukhari argued that Qureshi’s absence was notintentional but due to court orders. Bukhari emphasized that he wasn’tseeking extraordinary relief but only an exemption from attendance.
The prosecutor cited the Supreme Court’s requirement for the accused to bepresent for bail before arrest. Qureshi’s counsel stated that if hisabsence was intentional, then bail could be dismissed. The court reservedits decision after hearing both sides.
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Ultimately, the court rejected Qureshi’s interim bail application anddismissed the pleas for exemption and summon, citing the legal requirementfor the accused to be present for bail before arrest. Shah Mahmood Qureshiremains in Adiala jail on judicial remand in the missing cypher caseregistered under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.