LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday granted a 10-day physical remand of a woman and her accomplice in a case of kidnapping an online business partner for ransom.

The Model Town police presented suspects Maira and Muhammad Hussain before the court and requested their physical remand for interrogation.

Investigating Officer Shahid Hussain stated that Maira and her accomplice were accused of abducting Maham, an online business partner, and demanding a ransom of Rs4.2 million.

He said Maira became acquainted with Maham through an online business venture. He alleged that Maira lured Maham to a meeting, where she was abducted.

The IO also revealed that two unidentified accomplices of Maira were still at large.

ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill allowed the police’s request for physical remand and directed that the suspects be presented before the court again on Jan 14.

Separately, the judge adjourned the hearing of post-arrest bail petition of PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi in six cases of May 9 riots due to unavailability of his lead counsel.

A lawyer told the court that the lead counsel was not available to present arguments on the bail pleas. He asked the court to adjourn the hearing.

The judge allowed the request and postponed the hearing till Jan 21.

Mr Qureshi sought bail in cases, including attacking Shadman police station and torching police vehicles near the Jinnah House, which also serves as residence for the corps commander.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2025