Daily Times

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore on Monday rejected Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Khadim Hussain Rizvi’s request for bail.

Rizvi’s counsel argued in the bail petition that the provisions of Anti-Terrorism Act were falsely included in the case. He said Rizvi and other accused had not committed any offence against the State, but had been politically victimised.

The counsel stated that the petitioner had been jailed since his November 23 arrest and he was facing serious health issues because of his disability. He said a suitable environment should be provided for the betterment of health condition of his client and requested the court to grant him bail.

After listening to the arguments, the ATC, however, rejected the request for bail. It also rejected another plea by Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLYRA) chief Pir Afzal Qadri for bail.

Stringent security measures were taken outside the ATC premises, while Rizvi was presented before the judge in ATC-IV on Monday.

Rizvi was taken into ‘protective custody’ by police on Nov 23 last year from Lahore as law enforcement agencies launched crackdown against workers of his party. The law enforcement agencies launched crackdown two days before the TLP announced to resume its protest against the Supreme Court’s verdict acquitting Aasia Bibi, a blasphemy accused.

The workers of TLP and other religious parties had taken to streets and blocked major roads and intersections through sit-ins against the apex court verdict. The government figures said a total of 2,899 people were taken into protective custody from Punjab, 139 from Sindh and 126 from Islamabad during the crackdown.

Published in Daily Times, February 19^th 2019.