LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Tuesday sent six Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) leaders including Maulana Khadim Hussain Rizvi, Pir Afzal Qadri, Pir Ijaz Ashrafi and Maulana Farooqul Hassan to jail on judicial remand in a case of launching violent protest against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi.

The Civil Lines police produced the suspects before court under strict security arrangements after expiry of their 20-day physical remand. The investigating officer requested the court for further remand of the suspects.

Advocates Usman Naseem and Umar Hayat appeared on behalf of the TLP leaders and opposed the police’s request for the extension of their physical remand.

The counsels argued that interrogation with the suspects had been completed and there was nothing to be recovered from their custody. Under these circumstances, they said, the law did not permit further physical remand.

A deputy prosecutor also recommended the court to send the suspects on judicial remand.

After hearing the arguments, ATC-I Judge Sajjad Ahmad denied the police further custody of the suspects and sent them to jail on judicial remand. Scores of TLP activists were present outside the court premises. They chanted slogans in favour of the leaders and showered rose petals on them.

Advocate Naseem told media persons that bail petitions would soon be filed on behalf of the TLP leaders.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2019