PML-N leader Latif held after court rejects bail petition
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-nawaz (PML-N) member of the National Assembly Javed Latif was arrested on Tuesday ater a Lahore court rejected his bail petition in a case registered against him on charges of inciting people against the state institutions.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Wajid Minhas presided over the hearing. Latif had let the courtroom before the verdict was announced.
His lawyer Farhad Ali Shah said the PML-N leader was arrested by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA). “Arresting someone before the verdict is announced is a violation of the law,” the lawyer said.
He argued that the FIR registered against his client was fake and baseless.
“Police have registered the case on the basis of malice,” he said.
The lawyer said that a case was registered against Latif without listening to his entire statement.
“The police do not have the powers to register FIRS in such cases,” he said, adding that his client did not run and faced the allegations in court.
The prosecution lawyer added that Latif had overstepped the line when making the comments.
He informed the court that a CD of Latif’s comments had been sent for forensics.
He maintained that the prosecution’s case was in accordance with the law.
“At this stage, there is no basis for granting bail,” he said, urging the court to dismiss Latif’s bail so that the case can move forward.
On March 20, Latif elected from Sheikhupura, was booked on charges of treason and a case was registered against him on the complaint of a citizen, Jameel Saleem.
According to the first information report, the accused had allegedly defamed state institutions and delivered hateful remarks against them. In a TV talk show, Latif had said: “If anything happened to PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz, the PML-N will not say Pakistan Khappay (long live Pakistan).”
His remarks had been roundly criticised by members of the government with Punjab Prisons Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan vowing to get a case registered against him while PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had also said that Latif should apologise for his remarks.