GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan anti-terrorism court on Tuesday suspended the bail of GB opposition leader Captain retired Mohammad Shafi Khan and sent him to jail.

A case was registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act against him and others for allegedly torturing a magistrate and some government officials in Oshikandas area in Gilgit in 2016 during relief-items distribution among flood-affected people.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Legisla­tive Assembly was in session when GB Law Minister Aurang­zeb Khan informed the attendees of the news. Upon hearing this, the opposition members boycotted the session and walked out.

The law minister had earlier requested the Speaker of the House Fida Mohammad Nashad to issue the production order of Shafi Khan so that he could attend the assembly session. To which the speaker said: “I have issued the production order two hours ago. And as far as I know the opposition leader should have been released.”

Opposition member Javed Hussain said since the production order wasn’t implemented and in the absence of the opposition leader the house is incomplete hence the assembly proceedings could not be continued and thus the boycott and walkout of the session.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2019