KARACHI: An antiterrorism court (ATC) on Saturday remanded in police custody the provincial president of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), Haleem Adil Sheikh, in a case pertaining to allegedly subjecting a DSP to torture and setting his official vehicle on fire.

On Saturday, the investigating officer (IO) of the case produced him before the administrative judge of the ATCs to seek his physical remand for questioning.

The IO submitted that DSP Jumma Din, being the complainant, alleged that Haleem Adil Sheikh along with retired captain Jameel Ahmed, Akram Cheema and 14 unknown PTI workers had physically tortured him, dragged him out of his official mobile van and set it ablaze, while his personal belongings were also snatched on May 10 in Karachi.

He said a case was registered against him for rioting, hindering police officials from discharging their duties, manhandling them, setting ablaze an official vehicle and causing terrorism.

He pleaded for 14-day physical remand of the PTI leader, saying investigation and other legal formalities were to be completed.

However, the judge remanded Mr Sheikh in police custody for three days, directing the IO to produce him on the next date along with an investigation report.

The senior PTI leadership, including 11 former lawmakers, had been booked in around four cases of resorting to arson and violence during protests on May 9.

Mr Sheikh remained in hiding for three months to avoid his arrest in these cases until recently when he emerged on the scene.

He surfaced after obtaining a protective pre-arrest bail from the Peshawar High Court in three cases.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2023