KARACHI: The administrative judge of the antiterrorism courts on Tuesday remanded in police custody 30 activists of the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) and Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) held for their alleged involvement in violence, arson and terrorism during June 16 by-poll on the NA-240 constituency.

Police had booked PSP chairman Mustafa Kamal and TLP chief Saad Rizvi along with around 250 leaders and activists over their alleged involvement in election-related violence in Landhi and Korangi on June 16.

PSP worker Saifuddin Kaleem was shot dead at Baber Market in Landhi during the violence.

On Tuesday, the investigating officer produced the detained suspects before the ATCs administrative judge to seek their remand in police custody for interrogation.

The IO submitted that the suspects were taken into custody on June 20 from parts of the city in connection with violent incidents on the polling day.

He submitted that the PSP and TLP chiefs were not arrested in the main case.

The IO requested the judge to grant their 14-day physical remand in police custody.

However, the judge remanded the suspects in police custody till June 25, directing the IO to produce them on the next date along with an investigation report.

The Landhi police registered multiple FIRs against PSP and TLP heads and others over the death of Saifuddin, 65, and injuries to others, elected-related violence at polling stations under the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2022