Qavi becomes prisoners’ rights activist, jail reformer

F.P. Report

MULTAN: Mufti Abdul Qavi has become a prisoners rights activists and jail reformer after getting released from jail in the murder case model girl Qandeel Baloch.

Qavi has seemed to suddenly developed an immense sympathy for prisoners to champion their rights and to get their problems resolved.

Addressing a press conference here after his release on bail granted by session and district court here yesterday Qavi, who is a suspect in Qandeel Baloch case, announced to make a five-point agenda for the welfare of prisoners. Claiming his innocence in the said murder case said that a futile attempt is being made to push the case to some other direction. Saying that he slept peacefully during his incarceration in jail Qavi said that police has failed to submit the complete challan in the court 17 months after Qandeel’s murder.

If I do not even have Rs 10 million how could I offer it to anyone, Qavi said. The calls from Saudi Arabia are being linked to suspect Aslam Shaheen (late Qandeel’s brother) but I trust courts and the truth will win ultimately, he added. Replying to a question Qavi said that the progeny of those who gobbled massive donations in the name of protecting Khatam-e-Nubuwat have chosen to remain silent over the amendments made in the Khatam-e-Nubuwat law.

Mufti Qavi was arrested on October 19, after turning down his interim bail and he remained in jail since then . Mufti Qavi was kept in jail on judicial remand and than in jail after his arrest A day earlier, Qavi’s bail hearing had been delayed due to the non-availability of a judge.

Qandeel had been murdered last year, allegedly by her brother Mohammad Waseem, who said he killed her in the name of ‘honour’. On October 18, accused Mufti Qavi was arrested after various raids conducted by police in Multan and Muzaffargarh.

Mufti Qavi, who is one of the accused nominated in Qandeel murder case, had appeared before the court but had left it before hearing what the court has decided over his bail application. Mufti Abdul Qavi was nominated in Qandeel Baloch murder case as an abettor on August 12 this year.

According to police sources Mufti Abdul Qavi was nominated as abettor on the plea of Qandeel’s father Azeem Iqbal under Section 10 of Pakistan Penal Code. On Oct 30, Muhammad Azeem’s ? the slain celebrity’s father ? had told the court that his daughter had been killed on Qavi’s behest. on Tuesday, District and Sessions Judge Ameer Khan granted bail to the cleric after a hearing of the case.

During the hearing, Qavi’s lawyer argued before the court that his client was investigated only after a ‘mysterious’ call from Saudi Arabia asked the prosecution to do so. “It is a wonder why Qavi is being investigated when Qandeel’s brother Waseem has already confessed to the crime,” he said.

Model and actress Qandeel Baloch ? born Fouzia Azeem ? was found strangled to death in her house in Multan’s Karimabad area on July 16, 2016. Her father claimed that she was killed by her younger brother, Waseem, in ‘the name of honour’.