BADIN: The Badin district and sessions court on Friday granted interim bail to former home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza in three cases registered against him at the Tando Bago, Kario Ghanwar and Pangrio police stations.

The court also granted interim bail till May 23 to 72 suspects, including his associates and supporters, in seven cases registered against them at the Kario Ghanwar, Tando Bago, Pangrio, Golarchi and other police stations of Badin district over the last two weeks.

Take a look: Dr Mirza’s pleas against IO, appearance in police station rejected

The cases against Dr Mirza and his companions, some of them armed, were registered after a mob led by him stormed the Badin police station, allegedly harassed and manhandled a police officer and forced traders and shopkeepers in the area to shut down their businesses on May 3.

Several hundred supporters of Dr Mirza accompanied him when he proceeded to the court on Friday. Extraordinary security measures were taken to maintain law and order in the city and a strong contingent of law-enforcement agencies personnel was deployed at the judicial complex housing the court.

Fresh case registered

Referring to the recent massacre of Ismaili community members in Karachi, Dr Mirza said it was widely believed that the Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was involved in the attack and, therefore, those working for the agency here in Pakistan must be taken to task be it the top leadership of the PPP and MQM.

Earlier in the day, a new case was registered against Dr Mirza and his 30 supporters at the Pangrio police station vide FIR No39/2015 on the complaint of a local PPP activist Dad Leghari. The suspects included Haji Panah Mallah and his sons. One of Mr Mallah’s sons, Deedar Mallah, was found held in illegal confinement at the Matli police station when a civil judge in compliance of the Badin district and sessions judge paid a surprise visit to the station’s lock-up. The civil judge got him freed on Thursday.

A large number of jubilant supporters of Dr Mirza took out a procession to escort Mr Mallah and his son to their home town Pangrio, where a group of rival PPP activists allegedly blocked their way. In the ensuing clash, six people were injured.

Mr Leghari got a case registered against Dr Mirza, Mr Mallah and his sons, and scores of other suspects for allegedly attacking PPP workers and injuring him (Mr Leghari) and several other people.

A shutdown was observed in Pangrio town for a second day, Friday, amid tension and fear of violence as Dr Mirza and his associates booked in many FIRs were present at the farms of the Mirza family.

Dr Mirza’s remarks

Speaking to the media outside the Badin district and sessions court, Dr Mirza said he was proud to be called “an ISI agent”. He saluted the army and the ISI for doing their national duty of fighting the corrupt and Indian agents, and vowed to continue his own struggle against such elements.

In reply to a question, he said he would not hold the PPP flag until its co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and his sister MNA Faryal Talpur were booted out.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2015

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