BAJAUR: A local court on Monday handed over the custody of PTI’s local chapter president and former MNA Gul Zafar Khan to the provincial anti-corruption department for two days in a case of irregularities in appointments in the local education department and public sector schemes.

The former MNA who was arrested by the joint team of local police and anti-corruption department’s Lower Dir officials from his house in Mamond tehsil on Saturday night, was produced before the local court on Monday.

Earlier the anti-corruption watchdog’s counsel had requested the court to grant custody of the former MNA to them for at least 10 days to help them in completion of the investigation against him.

However, the court rejected their request after the PTI leader’s lawyer opposed it and granted two days physical remand to the anti-corruption body.

Meanwhile, PTI local chapter general secretary Dr Hamidur Rehman told reporters outside of the court after the hearing that they will submit a bail plea in the court after completion of two days custody period.

The PTI leader strongly criticised the manner in which the former MNA was arrested by the joint team of local police and anti-corruption department from his house late on Saturday night and added that it was violation of fundamental rights and also against the local customs and traditions.

He said his party would soon arrange a jirga of the local leadership of all the political and religious parties, elders and rights activists over the issue.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2023