ISLAMABAD: A judicial magistrate on Saturday fixed March 2 for framing charges against former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Mr Ahmed is facing a first information report (FIR) for accusing former president Asif Ali Zardari of hatching a conspiracy to kill former prime minister Imran Khan.

During the course of the proceeding, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed requested the court to defer his indictment till March 15 as he intended to participate in a conference.

The judge, however, remarked that since the police had submitted the challan and the Islamabad High Court had also instructed for a swift disposal of the case therefore the court could not adjourn this matter for a month.

The judge said the request to attend the conference could be considered during the trial proceeding.

The court directed the former interior minister to ensure his attendance on the next date of hearing and adjourned further proceeding till March 2.

Meanwhile, the judicial magistrate returned the application of Mr Ahmed seeking registration of FIR against station house officer Aabpara police station for want of jurisdiction.

He remarked that such application could only be filed before the sessions judge.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2023