ATC rejects Qureshi’s bail plea in two terror cases

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court has rejected PTI Vice Chairman and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s plea for interim bail in two cases registered at Kahna police station in Islamabad.

Earlier on Friday, the court reserved its verdict on the application filed by Qureshi. ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain held the proceedings on Qureshi’s bail application.

Lawyer Ali Bokhari appeared before the court on behalf of the PTI leader.

At the outset of the hearing, Qureshi’s lawyer submitted two petitions to the court seeking a court order for his client’s production and his exemption from court appearance today.

Lawyer Bokhari said that Qureshi was on judicial remand in the cipher case at Adiala Jail. He pleaded with the court to extend the PTI vice chairman’s bail.

Prosecutor Raja Naveed opposed the requests filed by Qureshi’s lawyer, beseeching the court to reject his bail.

The court reserved its verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.

Later, pronouncing the verdict, the judge dismissed the interim bail plea on the ground that Qureshi is absent.