HYDERABAD, May 30: Police on Sunday night arrested human rights activist and PPP leader Comrade Jam Saqi in a case relating to seizure of 1,250kgs of explosive material. Mr Saqi, a council member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, was released on bail on Monday by an ATC court.
He was produced by the Market police in the Anti-Terrorism Court and the judge remanded him and co-accused Urs Daedano, Ahmer Razi, Akbar and Khalil in police custody for seven days.
The case was lodged on May 21 by the police under section 5 of the Explosive Substance Act after they had seized 1,250kgs of explosives in Pathan colony.
The consignment was allegedly delivered at the New Hilal Goods Company by the co-accused who are still in custody.
“We released Jam Saqi on submission of personal bond under section 497(2) CrPC as no evidence was found against him during the investigation” said Market SHO Rao Amir Iqbal.
“He will be required to cooperate with police when required during investigation”, he added.
Mr Saqi’s family said he had been called at the Qasimabad police station by SHO Rafiq Awan and taken to some unknown place.
“I cannot tell you who picked him up. But I know he lives in my area and no one from his family has turned up at the police station to report the matter”, Qasimabad SHO told Dawn on Sunday night.
He was reportedly kept at the Sakhi Pir police station where none of his family members was allowed to meet him.
Mr Saqi’s arrest came against the backdrop of his visit to Khetlari — the village of Sindh chief minister — on May 26.
The HRCP had received an application from a man, Karo Meghwar, a resident of Khetlari, regarding the disappearance of a man, Utam.
Mr Saqi was a member of the HRCP’s five-member fact-finding team.
“You should better take care of yourself and your family and should not worry for the entire humanity,’’ Mr Saqi quoted police officials as advising him.
“I was also asked to disclose the whereabouts of a woman who had submitted application before the HRCP regarding her grievances. I told police I do not know where the woman has gone,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, PPP activists staged a demonstration outside the press club to protest against the arrest of Jam Saqi.
PPP MNA Ameer Ali Shah Jamote told journalists that their colleague had been victimized by the government adding that the party would move court.