ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: The Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench, on Thursday issued notice to the state on a petition of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader Allama Sajid Naqvi, seeking release on bail.

Allama Naqvi is in Adiala jail on the charges of involvement in the murder of MNA Maulana Azam Tariq. Justice Mansoor Ahmad of the LHC issued notice to the state for Jan 20.

Advocate Zulfikar Naqvi, representing Allama Naqvi, stated that his client had played no role in the murder and the prosecution's story about his involvement was concocted.

According to the prosecution, Allama Naqvi came out of an MMA meeting here on Sept 1, 2003, and talked to Sibtain Kazmi and Amanullah Sial, during which the murder of Maulana Tariq was planned. The counsel said Allama Naqvi had never been involved in fanning sectarianism.