KARACHI: An antiterrorism court on Wednesday sent provincial president of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Haleem Adil Sheikh to prison on judicial remand in the DSP torture case.

Mr Sheikh, along with 11 lawmakers and 800-1000 unknown party activists, has been booked in cases of arson and terrorism during violent protests against the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on May 9 and 10.

On Wednesday, the investigating officer produced him before the administrative judge of the ATCs on expiry of his one-day police remand and sought an extension in the same for further questioning.

He submitted that DSP Jumma Din had lodged a complaint, alleging that PTI leaders and workers including Mr Sheikh had physically tortured him, dragged him out of his official mobile van and set it on fire on May 10.

The IO requested the court to extend his physical remand by 14 days to complete investigations.

However, defence counsel Shujaat Ali Khan opposed the plea and asked the judge to send his client to prison arguing that police had failed to claim any significant progress in the investigation as the case itself was registered under false and fabricated charges to subject Mr Sheikh to political victimisation.

Turning down the IO’s request, the judge sent the PTI leader to prison on judicial remand.

The IO was directed to produce him on the next date and also submit an investigation report against Mr Sheikh.

Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2023