KARACHI: An antiterrorism court on Friday extended physical remand of the detained chairman of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) Sanan Khan Qureshi in cases pertaining to allegedly delivering anti-state speech and inciting party activists for violence in Bahria Town Karachi (BTK).

Police arrested Sanan Qureshi and booked him along with 120 leaders and activists of the Sindh Action Committee (SAC) for delivering anti-state speech, resorting to violence, ransacking and torching private properties in BTK during their protest against the mega housing scheme on June 6.

On Friday, the investigating officer produced him before the administrative judge of the antiterrorism courts upon expiry of his physical remand in police custody and requested to extend the same by 14 days for further interrogation and investigation.

The judge extended his remand in custody of police, directing the IO to present him before the court on June 14 along with an investigation report.

Some 120 suspects are already in judicial custody in connection with these cases.

Mr Qureshi and other leaders were booked in two FIRs lodged by the state at the Gadap City police station. They were booked for allegedly chanting slogans against the state.

A third FIR was lodged by BTK’s security manager stating that some nationalist groups, including the Sindh United Party, Jeay Sindh Mahaz, Jeay Sindh and Awami Tehreek, on May 21 announced a protest against the BTK.

He stated that the nationalist leaders, including Qadir Magsi, Jalal Mehmood Shah, Sanan Qureshi, Jan Mohammad Junejo, along with 8,000 to 10,000 people gathered outside the BTK’s main gate [on June 6], where they delivered speeches against the project and allegedly incited their workers to violence.

The complainant added that the protesters removed barricades, manhandled the security staff and put the main gate of the housing scheme on fire.

Later, he added, the leaders along with their activists entered the commercial area, ransacked two shops, three ATMs, looted the money and torched five restaurants in Tauheed Plaza.

The FIR added that the protesters also set fire to vehicles by throwing some chemical.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2021